The National Bank of Denmark published an overview of dividend and share repurchase activity among Danish listed companies, showing DKK 80 billion of dividends paid from January to April and a record nearly DKK 17 billion of dividends paid by banks over the same period. Dividend payments were higher than in the same period last year, but remained below the levels seen in 2022 and 2023. Dividend distributions were heavily concentrated, with a few large listed companies accounting for more than 75% of payouts, led by Novo Nordisk, A.P. Møller – Mærsk, Danske Bank and Carlsberg. Around half of dividends went to foreign investors, broadly unchanged from last year. The update also notes that share repurchases remained elevated in 2024 at DKK 54 billion, although this was DKK 27.5 billion lower than 2023 and below the historically high levels of 2021 to 2023.
National Bank of Denmark 2025-05-28
National Bank of Denmark reports DKK 80bn dividends in January to April and record DKK 17bn bank payouts
The National Bank of Denmark reported DKK 80 billion in dividends paid by Danish listed companies from January to April, with banks contributing a record DKK 17 billion. Dividend payments were higher than last year but below 2022 and 2023 levels, with a few large companies, including Novo Nordisk and Danske Bank, accounting for over 75% of payouts. Share repurchases remained high at DKK 54 billion in 2024, though lower than in 2023 and below 2021-2023 levels.