Alkane Resources has announced its first dividend in nearly six decades, a move that investors are interpreting as a direct response to recent changes in Australia's capital gains tax regime.

The Perth-based gold miner's decision marks a significant departure from its historical capital allocation strategy and may signal a wider shift in how small and mid-cap ASX-listed companies approach shareholder returns.

Over the last financial year, value stocks on the ASX 200 have outperformed their growth counterparts by 25%, the largest margin in more than 16 years.

The payout comes just two months after the federal budget introduced reforms to capital gains tax, altering the calculus for long-term investors in the mining sector.

Market participants view the move as a strategic adjustment to the new tax environment, where returning cash to shareholders may now offer greater after-tax efficiency than retaining capital for reinvestment.

This development aligns with a broader resurgence in value stocks on the Australian market.

Over the last financial year, value stocks on the ASX 200 have outperformed their growth counterparts by 25%, the largest margin in more than 16 years.