Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: A total of 43 out of 66 listed local and foreign companies in the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced cash dividend payouts.

The 43 companies’ cash dividends amounted to AED 22.74 billion in 2016, up 9% from AED 20.8 billion in 2015.

A total of AED 10.8 billion, around 50% of total distributions, were paid through direct transfers, while AED 10.9 billion were distributed through cheques.

“Around 43 companies out of 66 have scored profits totaling AED 33.7 billion,” according to ADX CEO Rashed Al Blooshi.

Around 65% of listed companies approved cash dividends for 2016, Al Blooshi added.