So-called defensive sectors typically have stable revenues and offer above- average dividend payments to investors.

Sixteen and a half per cent is the average dividend on the largest collieries around us.

The average dividend yield on the U.S. stock market is only 1.6%.

The average dividend yield on the index between 1950 and 2012 was 3.3 percent.

The average dividend for an office REIT currently stands at 3.3 percent, according to Green Street.

However, he said Dow's above- average dividend yield, financial strength, and global presence still made it attractive from a long-term point of view.

Sectors that could get a boost from dividends include energy and healthcare, which have good dividend yields and above- average dividend cover, analysts said.

Banking and insurance shares typically pay an above- average dividend yield and managements generally seek to grow dividends at a steady pace over time.

The group has underperformed the broader market, but its average dividend yield of 5.92 percent is the highest among S&P sectors.

The average dividend yield for the S&P Pan Arab index is around 4 percent and it is 3.6 percent for the UAE.

Those listed companies trade on an average dividend yield of 5.6%, based on Refinitiv estimates of their expected payouts for next year.

NordLB cut its price target on BASF to 64 euros from 78 euros but kept its "hold" rating citing BASF's above- average dividend yield.

However, those sectors offer below- average dividends, potentially missing the criteria of those investors who are turning to equities as an alternative to low bond yields.