SUBANG JAYA: Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad (“the Group”) has declared a record-high total dividend of 100 sen per ordinary share for the financial year ended 31 December 2024 (FY24), marking a payout of 91% of its net profit. The announcement was made during its 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM), where all five proposed resolutions were duly approved by shareholders.
The final single-tier dividend of 35 sen per share complements the previously declared interim dividends, underscoring the Group’s robust financial performance and commitment to delivering shareholder value.
At the AGM, attended by approximately 1,393 shareholders and proxies, Independent Non-Executive Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Chor Chee Heung and Managing Director Stefano Clini led discussions on the Group’s strategic direction, achievements, and forward-looking priorities.
Clini highlighted that the Group’s performance was anchored by two strategic pillars: a major RM200 million brewery transformation and a focused drive on premiumisation and innovation. These initiatives are part of Carlsberg Malaysia’s overarching Accelerate SAIL corporate strategy, designed to enhance resilience and competitiveness amid global geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges.
“Our brewery transformation is not merely an infrastructure upgrade. It represents a strategic leap towards a more sustainable, agile, and innovation-driven future. With cutting-edge brewing technologies now in place, we are better positioned to scale, improve operational efficiency, and uphold our Brewing Excellence commitment,” Clini stated during the post-AGM press briefing.
The Group’s FY24 Integrated Annual Report (IAR), published on 28 March 2025, marked a significant shift in sustainability reporting. Transitioning from the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 framework, the report provided enhanced disclosures on climate-related risks and opportunities, including their financial implications.
The IAR also featured value creation narratives, clear sustainability metrics, and an internal assurance statement on non-financial performance. These reporting enhancements reflect Carlsberg Malaysia’s efforts to align with evolving global standards and investor expectations.
Reflecting this progress, the Group’s MSCI ESG rating improved to 6.3/10 in December 2024, with notable gains in Corporate Governance scoring at 6.8/10. Additionally, Carlsberg Malaysia advanced its percentile rank within the FTSE4Good Index from 66 to 52 among peers in the Food and Beverage sector, while maintaining its FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia score of 3.6/5.
Looking ahead, Clini acknowledged the challenging macroeconomic environment, citing inflationary pressures, elevated interest rates, exchange rate volatility, and geopolitical uncertainties, including recent US trade tariffs. Domestically, he noted a shorter Chinese New Year trading period and intensifying pricing competition across retail channels.
“To navigate these headwinds, we will continue our ‘Funding Our Journey’ initiatives by reinvesting efficiency gains into innovation, premiumisation, and digital transformation,” he said. “By remaining focused on our strategic priorities under the Accelerate SAIL framework, we are confident in our ability to deliver sustainable value for all stakeholders in 2025.”
