As dividend payout season returns, investors are chasing generous payers on the Seoul bourse weighed by political uncertainties at home and the United States.

According to the market data provider FnGuide Monday, banks and insurers are expected to pay out more in dividends compared to last year. By stock, Hana Financial Group’s dividend per share will likely rise 48.1 percent to 963 won ($0.82) from 650 won last year. BNK Financial Group and KB Financial Group will also likely pay 20 to 30 percent more in dividends, 193 won and 1,217 won, respectively, compared to a year ago. JB Financial Group and Kwangju Bank are expected to give out 84 won and 322 won, respectively, up more than 60 percent on year.

Insurers are also expected to be more giving this year. Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co. is expected to pay its 950 won per share at year-end, 26.7 percent higher than 750 won last year. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. and Samsung Life Insurance Co. are also forecast to pay 6,000 won per share and 2,001 won, respectively, which are 16.5 percent and 11.0 percent from the previous year, each.

Financial companies have done very well this year, allowing them to be more generous with payouts. Hana Financial’s third-quarter operating profit skyrocketed 156 percent on year. Hyundai Marine & Fire also saw its operating income soar 166 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier.

Non-financial companies that managed well and can afford to reward shareholders decently this year are top three wireless carriers - SK Telecom Co., KT Corp. and LG Uplus Corp. SK Telecom, which has paid relatively high dividends, will likely pay 10,000 won in dividend per share, as same as last year. It is expected to up its dividend payout ratio next year. KT is expected to raise its payouts 43 percent from 500 won last year to 716 won this year. LG Uplus is projected to pay 300 won in dividend per share, 50 won more than a year ago.

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) that paid out 3,100 won in dividend per share last year would pay 2,255 per share this year. KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co.’s dividend would also decrease 17 percent from the previous year, with its third-quarter operating profit dropping 23.7 percent on year. An official said that KEPCO’s dividend payout increased last year on a one-off factor - sale of its headquarters site - which would not apply this year.

By Kim Dae-gi and Chae Jong-won

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