THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Dividends of listed firms total Bt519.55 bn this year 

Dividends of listed firms total Bt519.55 bn this year 

The 534 companies listed on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) have announced a combined 2018 dividend payment of Bt519.55 billion (US$15.74 billion), representing the average dividend yield of 3.31 per cent.

SET Senior Executive Vice President Manpong Senanarong said the 2018 dividends of the listed companies rose 2.78 per cent from a year earlier to Bt519.55 billion, as of December 12, 2018, of which 28 per cent was paid by companies listed on Resources industry group. The dividend yield averaged 3.31 per cent, with SET and MAI-listed companies' averaging 3.13 per cent and 2.66 per cent, respectively. Property funds and real estate investment trusts, as well as infrastructure funds had the average dividend yield of 6.44 per cent and 7.72 per cent, respectively (excluding principal payment).
"The improving performance of Thai listed firms over the past months has enhanced the annual dividend payments to rise to over Bt500 billion. Most of the Thai listed firms delivered attractive returns, especially those in property funds and infrastructure funds. It is advantageous for investors to either invest directly in securities or via mutual funds," said Manpong.
The five SET-listed firms which paid the highest dividends, in descending order, were PTT Plc (PTT), The Siam Cement Plc (SCC), Advanced Info Service Plc (ADVANC), PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) and The Siam Commercial Bank Plc (SCB), with a combined Bt139.62 billion, or 29 per cent of SET-listed companies' total dividends. Among the top 10 dividend-paying MAI-listed companies are Forth Smart Service plc (FSMART) paid the highest dividend and Sherwood Corporation (Thailand) Plc (SWC).
 

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