The dividend payouts distributed by Chinese A-share listed companies in 2024 had reached a record high of approximately 2.39 trillion yuan (330 billion U.S. dollars) as of December 23, marking an over 11 percent year-on-year increase, according to Wind Data.
The number of dividend-paying companies has significantly increased since May this year, particularly in the September to December period, when the number grew by more than 100 percent year on year.
In terms of the number of dividend-paying companies by industry, the top five sectors in 2024 are machinery and equipment, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, basic chemicals, electronics, and power equipment.
Meanwhile, in terms of total dividend amounts, the banking, petrochemical, food and beverage, non-bank financial, and telecommunications sectors rank in the top five.
"Many listed companies have set record-high dividend payouts this year. Improved operating performance and a relatively positive market trend have been the key factors enabling the companies to actively distribute dividends," said Yang Chao, chief strategy analyst at China Galaxy Securities.
Another noticeable trend of the A-share market in 2024 is the increased frequency of dividend payouts. According to data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, 481 dividend payouts were disclosed in the Shanghai bourse during the mid-year period, marking a 354 percent year-on-year increase, with some companies distributing dividends two to three times within the year.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhen bourse disclosed 464 dividend payouts, registering a 287 percent year-on-year increase. "Broadly defined mid-year dividends, including quarterly, semi-annual, and special dividends, differ from the traditional annual dividend model. Companies that distribute dividends more than once a year can optimize payout rhythms to provide tangible returns to investors, enhance investment appeal, and encourage long-term investment and holding," said Tian Lihui, dean with the Nankai University Institute of Finance and Development.
Dividend payouts of Chinese A-share listed firms hit record high of 2.39 trillion yuan
Ukraine is at a disadvantage now in its conflict with Russia, after a fiery meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday seems to weaken U.S. support for Ukraine, said Istanbul-based political analyst Gareth Jenkins.
The chaotic Oval Office meeting started when U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who was present in the room, demanded that the Ukrainian leader be thankful for Trump's effort to get his country out of its three-year conflict with Russia. A blowup between the three continued, with Trump accusing Zelensky of being "disrespectful" to the United States.
"It's very difficult for Ukraine. There's a meeting of European leaders. Europe, particularly the EU, is an economic superpower, but it's a military pygmy. It doesn't have the resources or the structures to replace the U.S. in terms of military aid. So if the U.S. stops the military aid, then I think we'll see a Russian military victory, if there's no peace agreement or no ceasefire before. I don't think Europe is able to provide the military resources in time to support Ukraine enough to hold back a Russian advance," said Jenkins.
The analyst said the White House clash has intensified the pressure on Europe to aid Ukraine without the U.S.
"Now, when I look at it, Russia will be very, very pleased with what happened yesterday, because it's caused a problem not just between Ukraine and the U.S., but it's also caused a huge problem within NATO, where you have basically the president of the leading NATO state, the U.S., saying all of these to Zelensky, to Ukraine basically we're not going to support you. And you have the other countries in NATO, particularly those very close to Russia who want to support Ukraine very much. Both because they want to support Ukraine itself, and because they're worried about their own future if Russia attacks them," he continued.
Jenkins said Trump's diplomacy causes too many problems, and even shakes up the world structure.
"So I think from Russia's perspective, having Trump in the White House and in Washington has been a huge benefit. Yesterday proved it. Because it's caused problems in the Ukraine war, but also outside the Ukraine war, in terms of the unity of NATO, the position of Europe, the relations between Europe and the U.S., it's really shaken up the whole global structure," said the analyst.
Trump-Zelensky blowup weakens Ukraine in conflict with Russia: analyst
