Statistical news focuses on the latest figures and trends in Danmarks Nationalbank’s statistics. Statistical news is targeted at people who want quick insight into current financial data.
Lower dividends from Danish stocks in Q1 2024
Danish publicly listed companies paid noticeably lower dividends in Q1 2024 compared to the same period the two previous years. The reduction is primarily due to lower dividend payments from A.P. Moller - Maersk, who made large profits in 2021 and 2022 due to exceptionally high freight rates. Foreign investors received 55 pct. of dividend payments in the first quarter of 2024, whereas this share was 35 pct. in 2023. The difference is due to foreign investors owing a relatively larger share of companies like Novo Nordisk, who paid out the largest dividends in 2024, while Danish investors own a relatively larger share of A.P. Moller - Maersk. Danish private investors received kr. 6.5 billion of the dividends in the first quarter of 2024, which is half the dividends received in the first quarter of 2023. Typically, companies decide on dividend payments and share buybacks at the general meeting at the beginning of the year based on the previous year's financial statements. Subsequently, large parts of the dividends are paid out in the first quarter of the year.
Decline in dividends after two years with large payouts
Note:
Dividend payments from Danish publicly listed companies. The following extraordinary dividends are not included in the data as they primarily reflect changes in ownership structures: TDC with kr. billion 43.5 in 2006, Danisco with kr. billion 10 in 2011, and A.P. Moller - Maersk with kr. billion 36.7 in 2015. Find figure data in the Statbank
The reduction in dividends is primarily due to lower dividend payments from A.P. Moller - Maersk
Note:
Dividend payments from Danish publicly listed companies in the first quarter of 2022, 2023, and 2024.