Firms' H1 dividends reach Bt91.42 bn
SO FAR, 111 SET- and MAI-listed firms, excluding real estate and mutual fund companies, have declared interim dividends worth Bt91.42 billion.
"It is expected that the interim dividends for the first half of 2013 will remain high (above Bt100 billion) for the third straight year" after all the financial reports of listed firms have been received, Charnitr Charnchainarong, executive vice president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and president of the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI), said yesterday.
This reflects the continuing rise in net profits, strong growth and liquidity position that the firms reported to the SET as of Tuesday, he said.
"Most of the listed firms have posted higher net profits and strong growth. When the stock market is volatile and stock prices fall below their real value, the stocks of companies with strong operating results and regular dividend payment records can help minimise investment risk," he said.
Of the 111 firms, 93 are listed on the SET, paying out Bt90.79 billion in dividends, and 18 are on the MAI, paying out Bt632 million. The 62.47-per-cent dividend payout ratio for the first half was higher than the 45.06 per cent in the same half of last year.
Following the financial crisis of 1997, the operating results of listed companies showed continuing growth, adherence to financial discipline and proper management of capital structure.
Listed companies today have strong liquidity status as reflected by the declining total debt-to-equity ratios in the past decade.
The cash/cash equivalent-to-total assets ratio and interest-paying capacity have all continued to improve, with the benefits passed on to investors via higher stock prices and dividends.
Statistics on interim dividends show Bt2.16 billion in 2000. Improved operating results and good financial management have boosted dividends to Bt117.13 billion in 2011 and Bt123.14 billion in 2012.
Four listed firms – BROOK, CCP, CI and WHA – have declared interim stock dividends equal to Bt570 million in cash dividends.
The top five listed companies by interim dividends were ADVANC, INTUCH, PTTEP, PTTGC and SCC.
Their combined dividends of Bt58.47 billion amounted to 64.40 per cent of the total interim dividends of SET-listed firms.
The top five MAI-listed firms were MONO, MACO, UEC, KIAT and TRT. Their dividends of Bt367 million were 58.09 per cent of the total interim dividends of MAI-listed firms.
The top five sectors in interim dividends were IT and communications, energy infrastructure, construction, petrochemical/chemical products and property development, accounting for Bt78.42 billion in dividends, or 85.78 per cent of all interim dividend payments.
