I second L4D, that the charts could also be showing out the absolute dividend payments as opposed to merely showing dividend yields. For example if a stock is trading at $100 and pays a $10 annual dividend it yields 10%. Investors looking for retirement income would be buying this stock for the dividend yield. If the stock went down to $50 and the dividend was cut to $5/share, the dividend yield is still 10%, but the person who bought at $100 is actually making only 5% off his/her original investment...
European Dividend Trends [View article]