Dividend payouts from listed firms remained robust in 2020 despite the impact of pandemic on overall businesses.
Data compiled by the Philippine Stock Exchange showed that 105 of the 271 PSE-listed companies managed to pay P342.88 billion in cash dividends to common stockholders in 2020, giving investors in these companies a yield of 2.50 percent.
The dividend payouts in 2020 were based on 2019 earnings of listed firms. About 115 of the 268 PSE-listed companies paid P368.03 billion in cash dividends, also providing a yield of 2.5 percent.
Dash dividends paid to common stockholders by 29 of the 30 PSE index stocks amounted to P157.05 billion last year.
“We are pleased that listed firms continued to pay attractive dividends in 2020 despite the disruptive impact of the pandemic to their operations and cash flow. These dividends provided investors additional income during one of the most financially challenging years in the history of Philippine business,” PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon said.