ANZ (ASX:ANZ) hits 3 year high. Can we thank dividends?

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ASX: ANZ) share price continues to light up the ASX today. At the time of writing, ANZ shares are up 0.97% to $29.17 a share. Earlier in the trading day, the ANZ share price hit $29.35 — a new 52-week high. In fact, that share price is the highest ANZ has climbed since August 2018, a good 2½ years ago. It has also climbed more than 108% since it’s last 52-week low, which was of course hit during the coronavirus-induced market crash last year.

It’s a surprisingly strong move from this ASX bank. ANZ’s big four banking compatriots have also been enjoying rising valuations over the past few…