72 Listed Companies and Mutual Funds Announce Dividends; Unilever Nepal Leads with 1,540%

A total of 72 companies and mutual fund schemes listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) have announced returns for their shareholders and unit holders. The announcements cover commercial banks, development banks, finance companies, hydropower, manufacturing, tourism, investment, and microfinance sectors. Among all listed companies, Unilever Nepal Limited has proposed the highest dividend of 1,540% in cash. In the commercial banking sector, Siddhartha Bank leads with a 20% dividend, comprising 10% bonus shares and 10% cash. Standard Chartered Bank Nepal has announced 16%, Nabil Bank 15.8%, and Everest Bank 15%. Sanima Bank and Global IME Bank have each proposed 10%. Among development banks, Garima Bikas Bank tops the list with a 20% dividend, followed by Shine Resunga Development Bank at 16% and Kamana Sewa Bikas Bank at 15%. In the finance sector, Manjushree Finance has announced 20%, including 5% bonus shares and 15% cash, while ICFC Finance has proposed 10.52% cash dividend. In the manufacturing and processing sector, Reliance Spinning Mills has announced a 30% cash dividend, Nepal Lube Oil 21.052%, and Sarbottam Cement 10.52%. Similarly, Kalinchowk Darshan has proposed an 8.94% dividend, while Nepal Infrastructure Bank (NIFRA) has announced 5.26% cash dividend. A total of 17 hydropower companies have also announced dividends. Mountain Energy Nepal leads the sector with 21.05%, comprising 20% bonus shares and 1.05% cash. Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower follows with 18.95%, while Mid Solu Hydropower and Super Madi Hydropower have announced 15.79% and 15.78%, respectively. In the microfinance sector, Chhimek Laghubitta has proposed the highest dividend of 25%, consisting of 11.96% bonus shares and 13.04% cash. First Microfinance has announced 11.05%, Gurans Laghubitta 10%, and Global IME Laghubitta 9.5%. Meanwhile, 25 mutual fund schemes, including 22 closed-end and three open-end funds, have announced returns. Himalayan 80-20 leads the closed-end schemes with 15%, while Prabhu Smart Fund, Prabhu Select Fund, and Global IME Balanced Fund-I have each announced 12%. Among open-end schemes, Kumari Sunlo Investment Scheme has proposed 8.88%, followed by NMB Saral Bachat Fund-E at 5.25%. With dividend announcements increasing, investors are paying closer attention to companies' dividend-paying capacity. However, a higher dividend rate alone does not guarantee an attractive investment. Investors should also evaluate earnings per share, net worth, accumulated profits, financial performance, and future growth prospects before making investment decisions. Bonus shares increase a company's paid-up capital, while cash dividends provide direct monetary returns. Mutual fund investors should also consider NAV, portfolio performance, and the source of returns before making investment decisions.