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Revenue shares are lastly again in style after a combined decade, because the FTSE 100 has roared into life. The index rose 21.5% final yr, whereas the common dividend yield hovered round 3.5%, which means whole returns nudged 25%. It’s began 2026 because it left off, climbing 1.35% as we speak, its finest one-day transfer in nearly two years. So may now be an excellent alternative to construct long-term wealth from dividend shares?
I’m in seventh heaven after loading up my Self-Invested Private Pension with FTSE 100 shares three years in the past, together with dividend heroes Lloyds Banking Group, M&G, and Phoenix Group Holdings. Final yr, all three carried out brilliantly. Lloyds climbed 80%, whereas M&G and Phoenix each rose 45%, and that was earlier than their dividends landed in my SIPP. Within the case of M&G and Phoenix, I’d locked right into a near-10% yield.
Dividends again with a bang
Sceptics have been writing off UK shares attributable to our struggling financial system, however three-quarters of the FTSE 100’s earnings come from abroad, insulating it from native difficulties. Add in enticing valuations throughout forgotten old-fashioned sectors like banks, miners, prescribed drugs, and vitality, and the market was a contented looking floor for income-focused traders.
NatWest (LSE: NWG) is only one instance. Its shares had been largely ignored for years, because it battled to flee the shadow of the monetary disaster. However the last remnants of taxpayer management have been offered, income are booming, and the board is showering traders with dividends and share buybacks too.
In February final yr, NatWest reported 2024 working revenue earlier than tax of £6.2bn, with a wholesome 17.5% return on tangible fairness (RoTE). Traders are reaping the rewards, with the board distributing £4bn via dividends and buybacks, and mountain climbing dividends per share by 26%. It now plans to extend its dividend payout ratio from 40% to 50%. The trailing yield has fallen to three.25%, due to share worth progress, however is forecast to hit 5.2% in 2026 because of this.
Traders beloved it. The NatWest share worth jumped a staggering 65% throughout 2025 and is up a scarcely plausible 200% over two years.
Regardless of its stellar run, NatWest nonetheless doesn’t look too costly. The ahead price-to-earnings ratio is simply 12.7, though the price-to-book worth has nudged as much as 1.2.
Momentum is on its facet however there are dangers. Rates of interest are falling, and this might squeeze margins, whereas the UK financial system isn’t out of the woods but. Plus a wider inventory market crash would do the standard injury. Nonetheless, I nonetheless assume NatWest shares are properly price contemplating with a long-term view, giving traders time to trip out financial bumps, rate of interest modifications, and regulatory scrapes.
NatWest shares are flying
Excessive dividend earnings isn’t restricted to banks and different financials. Oil & gasoline, client staples, tobacco shares, and industrials are all exhibiting strong payouts. Even mid-cap shares resembling housebuilders supply attraction.
Spreading cash throughout sectors provides a cushion whereas nonetheless permitting for capital and earnings progress. Ten years of affected person investing can flip earnings shares right into a surprisingly highly effective wealth-building instrument. Proper now, the UK market is providing a uncommon likelihood for traders to safe each progress and reliable dividends. I can see masses extra earnings shares I’d like to purchase as we speak.
