Thai Listed Firms Make Record Dividend Payment In 2013

Three hundred-seventy six firms listing on The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and Market Alternative Investment (mai) announced an all-time high of dividend payment for 2013 performance with a combined dividend payment of THB 363.13 billion (approx. USD 11.17 billion), rising continuously for the sixth consecutive year. This underlines the attractive dividend yield of the Thai capital market. 

SET Senior Vice President Paveena Sriphothong said, "Although uncertainties hit investor  confidence and dragged the Thai stock market down in 2013, earnings of Thai listed companies grew continuously, generating higher dividend payments and yields, outperforming other stock markets in ASEAN. In addition, the number of listed companies able to pay dividends rose, reflecting their financial strengths.” 

     

As of March 14, 2014, the 376 companies paying dividends included 309 SET-listed firms with dividends worth THB 360.15 billion and 67 mai-listed companies with dividends worth THB 2.99 billion. These payouts generated a 2013 dividend yield of 3.41 percent and dividend payout ratio of 46.86 percent. In addition, 38 firms gave stock dividends worth a total THB 6.60 billion based on par value.

 

Constituents in the SET High Dividend 30 Index (SETHD) paid 2013 dividends worth THB 163.88 billion, giving a 3.79 percent dividend yield and a 40.21 percent dividend payout ratio.

 

The five SET-listed firms which paid the highest dividends, in absolute amounts in descending order, were PTT pcl (PTT), Advanced Info Service pcl (ADVANC), PTT Exploration and Production pcl (PTTEP), Siam Cement pcl (SCC) and Siam Commercial Bank pcl (SCB), representing 37.07 percent of SET's total dividends by value.

 

The mai-listed firms which paid the highest dividends, in absolute amounts in descending order, were Mono Technology pcl (MONO), Unimit Engineering pcl (UEC), ACAP Advisory pcl (ACAP), Jubilee Enterprise pcl (JUBILE), and Tirathai pcl (TRT). Their total dividends accounted for 30.36 percent of mai's total dividends.

 

By sector, the top five dividend payments sector by valuation, in descending order, were in Energy & Utilities, Information & Communication Technology, Banking, Construction Materials and Property Development sectors.