*This content was translated by AI.
Listed companies have been found to expand quarterly and semi-annual dividends following the implementation of the revised Commercial Code. Not only did the number of dividend-paying companies increase, but the average stock dividend yield also rose significantly compared to the previous year. In this year's first-half ranking of individual dividend recipients, Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, took the top spot with 72.8 billion won.
On the 4th, Leaders Index analyzed the 2025 and 2026 dividend status of companies that had completed their quarterly or semi-annual cash or stock dividend disclosures as of the previous day (the 3rd) among 2,873 domestic listed firms. The result showed that 127 companies had disclosed dividends by the first half of this year, a 47.7% increase from the same period last year (86 companies). Total dividends for these companies rose from 11.416 trillion won to 13.52 trillion won, an 18.4% increase.
The average stock dividend yield for first-half dividend-paying companies was 1.8%, a 0.5 percentage point (p) rise compared to the same period last year (1.3%). Among the 127th companies that disclosed dividends this year, 105 companies (82.7%) increased their dividends compared to the previous year's same period. This confirms the trend of major companies expanding dividends in line with the Commercial Code revision implemented last year.
The company with the largest dividend amount was Samsung Electronics, which decided to pay a total of 4.9092 trillion won in the first half alone by distributing 2.4533 trillion won and 2.4559 trillion won in each quarter. However, due to the rise in stock prices, the stock dividend yield was only 0.2% in the first quarter and 0.1% in the second quarter on a common stock basis. Following Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor distributed a combined total of 1.3092 trillion won for the first and second quarters.
Dividends paid by the four major financial holding companies also increased by more than 20% compared to the previous year. KB Financial Group distributed 810.9 billion won in the first half of this year, a 21.1% increase from 669.9 billion won last year. Shinhan Financial Group saw its dividends rise from 555.2 billion won to 696.3 billion won, an increase of 25.4%. Hana Financial Group distributed 615.1 billion won, a 23.0% increase from 500.3 billion won last year. Woori Financial Group paid out 321.0 billion won, a 9.1% increase compared to 294.2 billion won last year.
The group with the most notable expansion of first-half dividends was HD Hyundai Group. Among its affiliates, five companies implemented first-half dividends: HD Hyundai (Q1 and Q2), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (Q2), HD Hyundai Electric (Q1 and Q2), HD Hyundai Marine & Offshore Solutions (Q2), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (Q2).
The top individual dividend recipient in the first half was Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, who received 72.8 billion won. Last year, Hong Ra-hee, Honorary Director of the Leeum Museum of Art and mother of Lee (Chairman), held the top spot; however, after selling some Samsung Electronics shares to secure funds for inheritance tax, she recorded fourth place this year with 54.4 billion won.
Following Lee (Chairman) were Chung Mong-koo, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (67.1 billion won), and Chung Mong-jun, Chairman of the Asan Foundation (54.6 billion won).
Additionally, Lee Seo-hyun, Strategic Director of Samsung C&T under Gi Hoek-dam-dang (President), received 34.1 billion won, and Lee Boo-jin, President of Hotel Shilla, received 31.2 billion won, ranking fifth and sixth respectively. Other recipients included Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (28.4 billion won), Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group (19.5 billion won), Lee Hwa-kyung, Vice Chairman of Orion Group (14.1 billion won), and Jeong Gi-seon, Chairman of HD Hyundai (12.6 billion won).
Meanwhile, among the 127th companies that announced first-half dividends, it was confirmed that 22 companies (17.3%), including Woori Financial Group, SK Square, and Doosan Bobcat, adopted reduced dividend payments. Reduced dividends involve reducing paid-in capital such as capital reserve and paying shareholders in cash, qualifying as non-taxable dividends where dividend income tax is not levied.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
