On November 6, a financial news wire reported that an investor recently raised a suggestion to ICBC (ASX: 601398) on the Shanghai Stock Exchange e-interaction platform, stating that the current reasonable distribution ratio can hardly meet growing expectations for capital returns, and recommending a review of the existing profit distribution plan to raise the payout to 50%.

In response, ICBC said that to further enhance the sense of gain for the broad base of investors, the bank further increased its cash dividend payout ratio to 31% for this interim dividend, with a dividend of RMB 1.511 per 10 shares (tax inclusive).

ICBC stated that it has always regarded rewarding investors as a top priority and has insisted on sharing development outcomes with shareholders through continuous and stable cash dividends. In the future, it will continue to listen to market and investor demands and fully take market expectations into account; solidly promote steady growth in performance to lay the foundation for shareholder returns; and balance shareholders' long-term development needs by scientifically determining an appropriate dividend ratio while meeting capital management requirements and safeguarding business development needs.