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.
Large dividend payments in the first four months of the year
Danish listed companies have distributed dividends amounting to kr. 80 billion from January to April. This was more than in the same period last year, but the dividend payments are still surpassed by the those in 2022 and 2023. A few large, listed companies accounted for over 75 per cent of the total dividend payments. At the same time, banks paid out a record dividend of nearly kr. 17 billion in the first four months of the year. Dividends are typically distributed in March and April in connection with the companies' annual general meetings. Here, decisions regarding dividend payments and share repurchases are made based on the previous year's financial statements. Share repurchases are an alternative to dividends, enabling companies to distribute a portion of their profits to shareholders.
For the fourth consecutive year, the total dividend payments will exceed kr. 80 billion
Note:
Dividend payments from Danish listed companies. To ensure that the dividend payments do not reflect changes in ownership structure, the following extraordinary dividends are not included in the data used: TDC and ØK with kr. 43.5 billion and kr. 7.7 billion in 2006, Danisco with kr. 10 billion in 2011, A.P. Møller – Mærsk with kr. 36.7 billion in 2015, and Danske Bank with kr. 5.5 billion in 2024. Find figure data in the Statbank
Large companies account for the majority of dividend payments
Novo Nordisk, A.P. Møller – Mærsk, Danske Bank, and Carlsberg account for most of the dividend payments during the first four months of the year. Half of the dividends went to foreign investors, which is approximately the same as last year. Some companies do not only pay dividends at the beginning of the year. This applies, for example, to Novo Nordisk and Danske Bank, which have also distributed dividends in August and July, respectively.
The increase in dividend payments in the first four months of the year can largely be attributed to an increase among the largest companies
Note:
Dividends for the four companies with the highest dividend payments from January to April 2025. The figure also shows the dividends for the same period in the two previous years.
Sustained high levels of stock repurchases in 2024
In 2024, Danish listed companies repurchased their own shares for a value of kr. 54 billion. The level was lower than the historically high repurchases in 2021-23, but still higher than in previous years. Share repurchase programs are usually approved at the general meeting. Unlike dividends, they are executed continuously in the same year, rather than as a single payment.
The share buyback in 2024 has decreased by kr. 27.5 billion compared to 2023
Note:
Share repurchases of Danish listed stocks. The repurchases are estimated based on companies' net transactions in their own shares and end-of-month prices. Employee shares may be included in the calculation and repurchases in months with capital reductions may be missing.