The board of directors of Samsung Electronics has approved the dividend distribution plan corresponding to the fiscal year 2026, which aims to allocate between 90 and 110 trillion won to shareholders, that is, between about 55 billion and 68 billion euros. This is the largest return to shareholders ever announced by a company in South Korea.
According to the multinational, this disbursement will multiply by five the historical maximum set in 2020, when the South Korean group returned 20.3 trillion won (12.53 billion euros) to its owners.
"The record return for shareholders aims to ensure that the Company's growth translates into tangible benefits for shareholders, fostering a virtuous circle in which corporate growth and value creation for shareholders mutually reinforce each other," the South Korean firm highlighted in a statement.
At the same time, Samsung plans to carry out a share buyback operation for an amount of 15 trillion won (9.26 billion euros), which will be used as compensation for employees with the intention of reinforcing value for shareholders.
The company also reiterates its commitment to allocate 50% of its free cash flow to shareholder remuneration during the period 2024-2026, a guideline that they claim to be fulfilling "faithfully".
In the fiscal years 2024 and 2025, Samsung paid a total of 19.6 trillion won (about 12 billion euros) in ordinary dividends, at a rate of 9.8 trillion won (about 6 billion euros) each year. Additionally, in 2025, an extraordinary dividend of 1.3 trillion won (800 million euros) was distributed, and a buyback and subsequent cancellation of shares for 8.4 trillion won (5.184 billion euros) was executed.
With these figures, the total amount that shareholders will receive between 2024 and 2026 will be between 120 and 140 trillion won, which is equivalent to between 74 billion and 86 billion euros. In the third quarter of this year, a payment of 30 trillion won (18.5 billion euros) is planned, while the rest of the amount will be set at the board meeting in January 2027, once the final financial results for 2026 are available.
"Looking to the future, Samsung maintains its commitment to faithfully implement its return policy for shareholders and to actively communicate its plans to shareholders and the market," they conclude.