Ljubljana, 11 June (STA) - Companies operating in Slovenia last year paid out a total of EUR 734m in dividends, which is 8.3% more than in 2016. More than half (53%) of the sum was paid out by financial companies, while the general government sector was the biggest receiver, the Statistics Office said on Monday.
Three sectors saw a bigger dividend payout last year compared to 2016, while three sectors got a lower dividend payout. The general government sector saw the biggest increase, by 57.9% to EUR 279m, which was 38% of the total dividend payout in 2017.
The general government sector was followed by foreign companies (EUR 203m), households (EUR 95m), financial companies (EUR 77m) and non-financial companies (EUR 73m).
The lowest amount was paid to non-profit institutions performing services for households (EUR 7m or 1% of the total payout).
Financial companies made the most of their dividend payments to the general government sector (EUR 176m or 45.2%).
Non-financial companies paid out a total of EUR 345m in dividends or 47% of the total dividend payout, with the general government sector receiving the most (EUR 103m).
Like in 2016, the general government sector paid out no dividends last year.