The Seikagaku Group sees improving shareholder value as an important business issue. In March 2006, we introduced a performance-based dividend policy with an emphasis on dividend payout ratio to better clarify our commitment to returning profits to shareholders. Under this policy, we seek to maintain or improve a dividend payout of 30% (on a consolidated basis) based on ¥20 per share annually.
We will appropriate our internal reserve for research and development, and capital investments to improve productivity, etc., in accordance with medium-to-long term perspective. In this regard, we have started a project to construct the No. 5 Production Building at the Takahagi Plant to satisfy continuously increasing demand for ARTZ Dispo®.
Seikagaku Corporation has implemented share buy-back programs under the terms of its Articles of Incorporation, in accordance with the provisions of Article 165, Paragraph 2 of the Corporation Law of Japan. The purpose of these programs is to maintain a flexible capital policy so that we can adjust to changes in the business environment, and to return income to shareholders.
| Period of acquisition | Total number of shares to be acquired | Aggregate amount of acquisition cost |
|---|---|---|
| From November 11, 2008 to November 27, 2008 | 200,000 shares | 196 million yen |
| From May 15, 2008 to June 19, 2008 | 500,000 shares | 551 million yen |
| From May 15, 2007 to July 24, 2007 | 500,000 shares | 689 million yen |
| From August 4, 2005 to November 2, 2005 | 467,400 shares | 562 million yen |