Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd plans to repurchase US$500 million worth of its own shares by the end of next year, as part of efforts to enhance shareholder returns and support its broader business transformation.
The Hong Kong-based conglomerate also aims to increase its annual dividend by at least 5% yearly through 2030 and deliver at least 9% annual growth in total shareholder returns, according to a company statement.
The move marks the company’s latest step in reshaping its nearly 194-year-old business empire, shifting from a traditional long-term owner-operator model toward a more active investment approach.
Led by chairman Ben Keswick and chief executive officer Lincoln Pan, Jardine has been reviewing parts of its portfolio, including potential divestments of long-held businesses such as restaurant chains, property assets, and automotive dealerships, while expanding into new sectors like healthcare and medical-related industries.
The strategic overhaul comes as several major Hong Kong conglomerates reposition themselves amid changing geopolitical conditions and rapid technological advancements.
Jardine said it is targeting at least US$200 million in profit after tax and minority interests from new acquisitions, focusing on market-leading Asia-Pacific companies with strong technology adoption capabilities, including artificial intelligence (AI).
To fund future investments, the group plans to recycle at least US$4 billion in capital from portfolio companies by 2030, excluding contributions from its property unit and Indonesian conglomerate interests.
The company has also been actively reviewing asset monetisation opportunities. Over the past year, Jardine has put more than US$1.8 billion worth of Hong Kong property assets up for sale and is exploring additional divestments, including selected commercial properties and automotive dealership operations in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The planned buyback signals Jardine’s intention to strengthen investor confidence while repositioning the group for long-term growth.
