The logo of German energy utility company Uniper SE is pictured in the company’s headquarters in Duesseldorf, Germany, March 10, 2020. REUTERS
DUESSELDORF, March 11 (Reuters) – State-owned utility Uniper on Wednesday said it would pay a dividend for the first time in four years, as the group prepares for a return to the stock exchange in an expected ownership exit by Berlin.
“The possibility of again paying dividends is a sign of Uniper’s financial stability and a key component of its capital market viability,” CEO Michael Lewis said.
Uniper, which was bailed out by the German government during Europe’s energy crisis in 2022, proposed a dividend of 0.72 euros ($0.84) per share for 2025. It last paid a dividend for the year 2021.
Uniper also forecast adjusted core profit of 1 billion euros to 1.3 billion euros for 2026, compared with 1.1 billion in 2025. Adjusted net income is expected at 350 million to 600 million euros in 2026, compared with 544 million last year.
As part of Uniper’s nationalisation, which resulted in Berlin owning 99.12%, the company lost its ability to pay dividends but won back that right at the end of last year as part of efforts to reprivatise.
Berlin is currently pursuing plans to either list or sell its stake, which under EU requirements has to be lowered to 25% plus one share by 2028.
Reporting by Christoph Steitz, Editing by Linda Pasquini
