Samsung confirms details of its $80 billion shareholder return program

It was reported yesterday that Samsung Electronics may announce a new shareholder return program that would substantially increase returns for those who hold its stock.

The company has announced that its Board of Directors have approved the shareholder return plan for 2026, which is estimated to return between $65 billion and $80 billion to shareholders. The board has also approved a share buyback today worth 15 trillion won or $11 billion for employee compensation.

Samsung highlighted that the latest return plan is five times its previous record high return plan of $14.5 billion which was set in 2020. This is also the largest ever shareholder return commitment by any company in South Korea.

The company will distributed roughly 30 trillion won or $21.6 billion in cash dividends during the third quarter of this year. This will include regular dividends as well, with details to be finalized at the company's October board meeting.

The remaining portion of the shareholder return will be outlined at the January board meeting in 2027 once financial performance for the year 2026 is confirmed. It says that both cash dividends and share buybacks/cancellations may be considered.

Samsung remains committed to implementing the 2024-2026 shareholder return policy which promised allocating 50% of the company's free cash flow to shareholder returns. The company highlighted today that its total shareholder return for the 2024-2026 period is now expected to reach up to 140 trillion won or $101 billion.