CAPITAL MARKETS / REGULATION, REFORM AND PERFORMANCE

MAI returns grow steadily

Average dividend yields for companies listed on the Market for Alternative Investment were a healthy 6.5% last year, according to MAI president Chanitr Chanchainarong.

Listed companies on the MAI paid 2006 dividends of 1.19 billion baht, with 33 out of 43 companies paying dividends overall. Dividend payments accounted for 56% of the total net profits of 2.1 billion baht reported by companies paying dividends.

The payment record compares favourably to the larger Stock Exchange of Thailand, which had a total market dividend yield of 4.4%. Around 48% of the 462 companies listed on the SET paid dividends for 2006.

Leading the MAI in dividend payments was Unimit Engineering, at 1.20 baht per share or payments of 171.6 million baht. UEC's dividend yield was 7.89% for the year, based on the day's share price, the share register to receive dividends was closed.

Unique Mining Services paid a dividend of 1.50 baht per share for 2006, or 105 million baht in total, with a dividend yield of 8.52%.

Lighting & Equipment paid 3.70 baht per share for 2006, or 101.85 million baht. The dividend was structured as 0.37 baht per share in cash and two dividend shares for every three shares held, with an overall dividend yield of 12.35%.

''These companies offer good opportunities for investors to benefit from dividend returns, especially when you consider that 12-month fixed interest rates stand at just 3%,'' Mr Chanitr said.

Bangkok Post

Monday April 09, 2007