Nick O'Connor | 2 July 2020 The biggest dividend hike in 2020? Dear Reader,   2019 already feels like a universe away, with roaring corporate earnings and more than 500 companies boosting their dividends.   The single biggest hike came from a little-known banking firm, with its 78.57% hike topping the charts.   Not bad…   Of course, in these uncertain times, even some of the steadiest blue chips have had to scale back their payouts.   It was reported in April that 45 per cent of UK companies have reduced payouts, costing investors £28.2bn.   Which is why it’s incredible how one company last month ramped up its dividend with a bigger increase than any company managed in 2019.   This isn’t speculation. It’s not a forecast. It’s a promise the company’s board of directors has made.   Of course, there’s one reason this company is so confident…   It’s working on one novel development – involving 5,000 workers – that could eventually lay claim to 15.6 million new gold ounces.   This may seem impossible, in the times of the coronavirus, and the social distancing mandates that come with it.   But as you’ll see, this is no ordinary company.   Not only is it the only one of its kind to be listed on the S&P 500 – it’s not a mask-maker, or diagnostics kit producer, or anything like that.   It doesn’t profit from the coronavirus – not directly at least.   But I know of no other company prepared to explode dividend payouts, and potentially protect investors in these deeply uncertain times.   To see what could be at stake for you before a key 23rd July announcement, click here.   Regards,   Nick O’Connor Publisher, Southbank Investment Research

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