LHN Limited, a company listed on both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 1730) and the Singapore Exchange (SGX: 41O), has announced its plans to pay a final dividend of S\$0.01 (equivalent to HK\$0.0578) per ordinary share and a special dividend of S\$0.01 (equivalent to HK\$0.0578) per share for the financial year ending 30 September 2024. The proposed dividends are subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Friday, 24 January 2025.

Key Dates for Shareholders

Shareholders should pay close attention to the following critical dates:

• Final Dividend: If approved, the final dividend will be paid on Friday, 21 February 2025. Shareholders must ensure their names appear on the register of members by close of business on Friday, 7 February 2025.
• Special Dividend: The special dividend, if approved, will be paid on Friday, 30 May 2025. Shareholders must be registered by close of business on Thursday, 10 April 2025.

For shareholders in Singapore, the share transfer books and register of members will close at 5:00 p.m. on 7 February 2025 for the final dividend and at 5:00 p.m. on 10 April 2025 for the special dividend. Similarly, for Hong Kong shareholders, the branch register of members will close between 10-11 February 2025 for the final dividend and between 11-14 April 2025 for the special dividend. No transfer of shares will be registered during these periods.

Scrip Dividend Scheme for Special Dividend

A notable development is the introduction of a Scrip Dividend Scheme for the special dividend. Shareholders will have the flexibility to choose between receiving the special dividend in the form of:

• Wholly in cash
• Wholly as newly issued scrip shares
• A combination of cash and scrip shares

The Scrip Dividend Scheme is contingent on two conditions: shareholder approval of the special dividend at the AGM and the granting of listing and trading permissions for the scrip shares by the Singapore Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. If these approvals are not secured, the special dividend will be paid entirely in cash.

Transfer of Shares Between Singapore and Hong Kong Registers

Shareholders wishing to transfer shares between the Singapore principal register and the Hong Kong branch register must submit all necessary documents and share certificates by the following deadlines:

• For final dividend: By 24 January 2025 (5:00 p.m. for Singapore and 4:30 p.m. for Hong Kong).
• For special dividend: By 1 April 2025 (5:00 p.m. for Singapore and 4:30 p.m. for Hong Kong).

What This Means for Shareholders

The announcement of both a final and a special dividend, coupled with the option to participate in the Scrip Dividend Scheme, presents an opportunity for shareholders to optimize their returns. The scrip option allows shareholders to reinvest their dividends by acquiring additional shares, potentially increasing future returns. However, this also depends on the approvals being obtained from relevant authorities.

The dividend announcement, alongside the scrip option, could positively influence LHN Limited’s stock price as it reflects the company’s financial strength and commitment to rewarding shareholders. Shareholders are advised to act promptly to meet the stated deadlines to ensure their eligibility for the dividends and the scrip scheme.