Dubai Investments, a leading investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market, has approved distribution of 12 per cent cash dividend and issue of six per cent bonus shares for the financial year ending December 31.

A proposal to this effect was approved by shareholders at the company’s 19th annual general meeting on April 8, said a statement.

Dubai Investments’ Chairman Report spoke about the strong growth achieved by the company, which is marking its 20th anniversary this year.

“Dubai Investments has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1995. Last year was no different and the company achieved robust growth. During 2014, Dubai Investments not only built on its existing operations but also sought growth opportunities in promising businesses in existing as well as new geographies,” the Dubai Investment’s chairman report said.

The company achieved a net profit of Dh1.343 billion ($365.5 million) for 2014, a 63 per cent increase compared to Dh822.32 million net profit in 2013.

The net operating profit for 2014 was Dh1.76 billion, an increase of 42 per cent compared to Dh1.27 billion achieved in the previous year.

As on December 31, around 57 per cent of Dubai Investments’ total asset base was in property sector with total profit of Dh794 million.

The manufacturing and contracting sector, encompassing 20 per cent of DI asset base, recorded profit of Dh475.27 million, while the financial investments sector, constituting 23 per cent of the company’s asset base, registered profit of Dh73 million during the year.

Highlighting the company’s commitment to its shareholders, the chairman’s report said: “Since its inception, Dubai Investments has always remained committed to offer exceptional value to shareholders.

“A shareholder who invested in the company’s IPO in 2000 has achieved over 13 times the face value of the investments through bonus shares, cash dividends and rights issues. In total, Dubai Investments has paid over Dh4 billion by way of dividends and bonus shares.”

“The outlook for the year 2015 is positive with the company planning to continue its strong thrust in developing its real estate portfolio whilst diversifying into new business sectors. The company will also explore opportunities in existing and new geographical locations and is currently evaluating several investment proposals,” it said.

As part of its strategic growth plans, Dubai Investments is eyeing investments in a wide array of new sectors, including asset management, education, healthcare and energy sectors besides reinforcing its leadership in real estate, financial investments and manufacturing domains in the near future. - TradeArabia News Service