Taipei: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has announced an increase in its cash dividend to NT$6 (US$0.19) per share for its third-quarter earnings, a decision that analysts view as an effort to enhance the attractiveness of its shares. The world’s largest contract chipmaker stated that its board of directors approved the proposal to offer this increased dividend following a record net profit of NT$452.3 billion, translating to NT$17.4 earnings per share, in the third quarter.

According to Focus Taiwan, the NT$6 dividend payout marks an increase from the NT$5 distributed for the company’s second-quarter earnings. TSMC has set the ex-dividend date for March 17, 2026, with the dividends scheduled to be paid out on April 9. Since 2019, TSMC has been issuing cash dividends on a quarterly basis instead of annually, a move that analysts suggest promotes longer-term investment in the stock.

TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei, who holds 7.22 million shares, is expected to receive NT$43.30 million in dividends for the quarter. The National Development Fund, which is TSMC’s largest shareholder with a 6.38 percent stake, is set to receive NT$9.92 billion in cash dividends.

In addition to the dividend announcement, TSMC’s board also approved a capital appropriation plan amounting to approximately US$14.98 billion at a board meeting held on Tuesday. TSMC indicated that these funds would be allocated for enhancing advanced technology and packaging capacity, expanding mature and specialty technology, and constructing new fabs with essential systems. The investment will also bolster research and development efforts and sustain capital expenditure.