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Samsung pays out more than 2 trillion won in dividends after record-breaking year

Published: 17 Apr. 2026, 15:10 Updated: 19 Apr. 2026, 19:50

A Samsung Electronics shareholder holds verification papers to attend the company's general shareholders meeting in Suwon, Gyeonggi, on March 18. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Having posted record earnings last year, Samsung Electronics paid more than 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) in dividends to retail investors.

Samsung Electronics paid a dividend of 566 won per share, according to the financial investment industry on Friday. The payout is a year-end dividend for the fourth quarter, with a special dividend added for the first time in five years, increasing the total by 205 won from the regular quarterly dividend of 361 won.

The company had 4,195,927 minority shareholders as of last year, holding a combined 3.9 billion shares. The total dividend payout to these investors is estimated at around 2.21 trillion won.

An investor holding 100 shares as of the end of last year would have received 56,600 won before tax. After withholding a dividend income tax of 15.4 percent, the actual payout amounts to about 47,876 won. Lee Jae-yong, executive chairman of Samsung Electronics and its largest shareholder, would have received about 55.1 billion won.

Last year, Samsung Electronics paid a total annual dividend of 1,668 won per share. The combination of share price gains and dividends has been seen as boosting investor returns.

Retail shareholders expressed their joy on online forums.

“This week, I’m going with seasoned fried chicken,” wrote one shareholder. “I’ll hold out with dividends until the stock returns to its previous high,” said another.

Shareholders are checked before entering Samsung Electronics’ 57th annual general meeting at Suwon Convention Center in Yeongtong District, Suwon, Gyeonggi, on March 18. [YONHAP]

The dividend momentum is expected to extend to other large-cap stocks. Kia is set to pay dividends on Monday, while SK hynix and Hyundai Motor will make payments on April 24. Dividends per share are 1,875 won for SK hynix and 2,400 won for Hyundai Motor. Based on 100 shares, the pretax dividend totals 427,500 won for both companies combined.

The record date for dividends was Feb. 28, meaning investors who held shares at that time are eligible. Hyundai Motor is expected to pay a total annual dividend of 10,000 won per share, translating to 1 million won in annual dividend income for holders of 100 shares.

Market watchers expect the payouts to fuel a reinvestment cycle in the stock market. Strong earnings outlooks for Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, driven by a semiconductor industry upturn, are also seen as positive factors.

In particular, the rapid expansion of AI is driving demand for memory chips, significantly improving companies’ cash-generating capacity. The shift toward high-value products such as high bandwidth memory is cited as a key factor behind expanded dividends.

Brokerages also see the possibility of increased shareholder returns this year, including special dividends and share buybacks based on free cash flow.

“Samsung Electronics may significantly expand not only its earnings but also shareholder returns this year,” said Kim Young-gun, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.

“Considering the resources available for shareholder returns, including dividends and share buybacks, dividends per share could increase substantially from last year,” said Kim Rok-ho, an analyst at Hana Securities.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY PARK YOUNG-WOO [[email protected]]