Analysis: Romanian listed companies will pay EUR 1 bln dividends. Which bring the highest yields?

When uncertainty hits the markets, and cash becomes king, companies that pay dividends tend to become more attractive for investors. Companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange have been generous to their shareholders in recent years in terms of dividends, and this year is no exception. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, Romanian listed companies will pay close to EUR 1 bln in dividends from the 2019 profits. Romania-Insider.com has checked the most attractive dividend payers on the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

Oil and gas group OMV Petrom (SNP) is by far the most generous company on the Bucharest Stock Exchange this year. The company will pay dividends worth EUR 363 million to its shareholders, representing almost half of last year’s net profit. The group has increased the payout ratio from 38% of the 2018 net profit to 48% of the 2019 net result, despite the adverse market conditions. The proposed gross dividend per share of RON 0.031 is the highest in the company’s history (similar to the one in 2012). The dividend yield is also among the highest on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, close to 10%.