AEX-quoted companies paid out more in dividends in 2013

Dutch companies quoted on the Amsterdam stock exchange (AEX) paid 700 million euros less in dividends last year than in 2012. The main reason for this decrease was that KPN did not pay any dividend. Optional dividends accounted for two-thirds of total dividend payments.

Non-financial companies paid less in dividends

Non-financial companies quoted on the Amsterdam stock exchange paid their shareholders nearly 12 billion euros in dividends in 2013. This is 800 million euros less than in 2012. The main reason for this decrease was the decision by KPN not pay any dividend, following a substantial fall in profits. KPN had paid 1 billion euros in dividends in 2012.

Dividend payments by AEX-quoted companies

Financial sector paid more in dividends

AEX-quoted companies in the financial sector paid nearly 100 million euros more dividend in 2013 than in 2012.  Since 2009, when dividends reached a low of 100 million euros, dividend payments have risen every year, but the amount still lags way behind 2008, when total dividend amounted to 6 billion euros.

Optional dividends popular

Optional dividends accounted for two-thirds of total dividends in 2013. Many quoted companies give their shareholders the choice of receiving their dividend in cash or in shares. For investors, receiving dividend in shares has the advantage that is exempt from dividend tax. Over half of investors who had the choice, chose to receive the dividend in shares. As a result, companies retained 4.5 billion euros in cash, which they can use to invest or to improve their balance sheet.

Cash and optional dividends

In addition to dividend payments, companies spent 2.7 billion euros on repurchasing their own shares from shareholders and on other payments. 

Jos van Heiningen