Heads of financial groups reap handsome gains from share buybacks

Heads and executives of financial groups have netted handsome profits from share buybacks, buoyed by the rally of company shares over the past few months, market watchers said Tuesday. Share buybacks by corporate leaders are their commitment to responsible management, alongside enhanced shareholder return policies. Shares of the country’s four leading financial groups have jumped at least 50 percent in value this year. The rally is driven by limited exposure to U.S. tariff risks as well as optimism about strengthened shareholder return policies. Also at play is the new Lee Jae Myung administration's push to lower taxes on dividend income. According to financial industry data, Shinhan, Hana and Woori shares hit record highs Monday on Nextrade (NXT) closing prices. NXT offers lower trading fees than those of the Korea Exchange (KRX), the country’s stock bourse operator. The four shares reported year-to-date returns of about 60 percent this year. KB has increased 43.1 percent, while Shinhan rose 51.1 percent. Hana surged by more than 69.4 percent and Woori by 74 percent. This led to signifWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times