Major US banks hike dividends following Fed stress test clearance

JPMorgan Chase & Co led the announcements, raising its quarterly dividend to $1.65 from $1.50 per share alongside a fresh $50 billion common share repurchase program. Morgan Stanley followed suit, opting for a 15% dividend hike to $1.15 per share and authorizing a new $20 billion multi-year buy-back initiative.

Goldman Sachs will increase its common dividend by 11% to $5.00 per share starting next month. Citigroup confirmed a 12% dividend lift to 67 cents, while maintaining its existing $30 billion repurchase plan. Bank of America, meanwhile, plans to finalize its dividend adjustment following a board meeting next month, though it confirmed the continuation of its $40 billion share buy-back strategy.