The 2015 Global Dividend Index published by Herderson Global Investors on Feb 22 shows that dividends have reached $1.15 trillion, 2.2% behind 2014’s results. It is the first time that the figure decreased since the study was launched seven years ago. The decrease is attributable to the dollar’s strengthening. Striping out exchange rate movements and other lesser factors, underlying dividend growth increased by 9.9%, according to the study which analyses dividends paid by the 1,200 largest firms by market capitalization at December 31st.

IntercontinentalExchange Group, Inc. (ICE), the leading global network of exchanges and clearing houses, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Singapore Mercantile Exchange (SMX) in an all-cash transaction. The acquisition will add to ICE's current network of markets and clearing houses in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the U.K. and continental Europe.

Transnet SOC Ltd has completed a successful issuance of a global ZAR5 billion bond registered with the London Stock Exchange at a yield of 9,5% - the first African local currency issuance in international capital markets. This follows successful road shows by Transnet in the UK and North America.

Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group's financial services arm, Tata Capital, plans to launch an Africa-focused private equity fund with an initial capital of about $300 million.