Zheng Quan Shi Bao·2025-05-03 12:14Core Viewpoint - The A-share market has seen a record-breaking cash dividend of 2.34 trillion yuan in 2024, marking a significant shift towards enhancing shareholder returns and reflecting a transformation in the investment ecosystem [1][2][10]. Group 1: Dividend Policy and Regulation - The new "National Nine Articles" issued in April 2024 strengthens the regulation of cash dividends for listed companies, encouraging higher dividend payouts and limiting major shareholders' sell-offs for companies with low or no dividends [2][5]. - The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has also released guidelines to promote long-term dividend planning and increase the frequency of dividends, enhancing predictability and stability [2][10]. Group 2: Dividend Performance - A total of 3,720 listed companies distributed dividends in 2024, with the total cash dividend amounting to 2.34 trillion yuan, which is 46.32% of the total net profit of A-share companies for the year [2][10]. - The number of companies paying cash dividends has increased significantly from 2,572 in 2018 to 3,720 in 2024, indicating a growing trend towards regular dividend payments [4][10]. Group 3: Industry Insights - The banking sector led the dividend payouts in 2024, with a total of 631.54 billion yuan, representing 30.95% of the sector's net profit [6][10]. - Major companies such as Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Mobile, and China Petroleum each distributed over 100 billion yuan in dividends, showcasing the strong performance of these firms [6][7]. Group 4: Market Impact - The increase in dividends is expected to attract long-term investors, improve market liquidity, and shift focus from short-term speculation to long-term value investment [9][10]. - Regular and stable dividends signal good corporate governance and financial health, which can enhance investor confidence and lead to a concentration of market resources towards high-quality companies [11].