Investors eye more share buybacks, special dividends as DBS, OCBC, UOB release Q4 earnings

INVESTORS are keenly watching the capital management plans of the Singapore banks, which are expected to post yet another resilient set of results for the fourth quarter of 2024, analysts said.

The local banking trio are due to report their fourth quarter and full year 2024 results in February, with DBS on Feb 10, UOB on Feb 19 and OCBC on Feb 26.

Analysts said the lenders likely maintained their strong asset quality and excess Common Equity Tier-1 levels, which leaves room for capital returns to shareholders.

Thilan Wickramasinghe, head of Singapore research at Maybank Securities, said: “We expect increased management focus on optimising balance sheets with potential special dividends and larger share buyback programme announcements.”

He said DBS and UOB could deliver special dividends and give more clarity on share buybacks plans.