Kathmandu: Out of 48 companies declaring dividends from the last fiscal year's profit, only 20 companies have set book closing and general meeting dates so far. As per the regulatory provision, the annual general meeting has to be concluded within six months of the start of the current fiscal year. Book closures and general meeting dates are very important for investors. Because only the shareholders who have remained till the day before the book closing date (the previous trading day) can get the dividend paid by the company.

Of the 13 commercial banks that have declared dividends so far, only four have set book closing and general meeting dates. However, the book closures of all the four scheduled banks have already taken place. Although the date of the general meeting of these companies has been fixed, the meeting is yet to take place.

The date of both the book close and general meeting of 9 banks is yet to be decided. Himalayan Bank has declared the highest dividend so far. It has given investors a total dividend of 26% from last year's profit with 21.38% bonus share and 4.62% cash dividend.

Only three development banks listed in Nepse have declared dividends from last year's profit. Of these, book closing and general meeting date of Kamana Seva Vikas Bank and Sangrila Development Bank has been fixed. The book close of Sangrila Development Bank has already taken place on October 19. As Lumbini Development Bank has declared dividend on November 26, book closing and general meeting date is yet to be fixed.