The famous Dickens quote, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times” aptly describes the current state of dividends. After 2020’s dismal dividend season, 2021 is seeing multiple companies increase dividends. The S&P 500 is up 24% on the year, and by all accounts the economy is humming. Despite record payouts, however, yields are an anemic 1.3%, the lowest they’ve been since September 2000.