West China Cement announces final dividend despite profit dip

** West China Cement (HKEX: 2233) announced a proposed final dividend of RMB 0.034 per share for the year ended December 31, 2024, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting scheduled for May 23, 2025. If approved, the dividend will be paid around July 31, 2025, to shareholders registered by June 3, 2025. This distribution occurs despite the company reporting a 7.5% decrease in revenue, from RMB 9.02 billion in 2023 to RMB 8.34 billion in 2024, and a 19.8% drop in gross profit, from RMB 2.46 billion to RMB 1.97 billion over the same period. Basic earnings per share increased nearly 50% from 7.7 cents to 11.5 cents.