NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 December 2024 34 EARNINGS PER SHARE (CONT’D) Group 2024 2023 Number of shares Number of shares Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share 896,873,407 906,901,330 Potential ordinary shares issuable under non-redeemable convertible non-cumulative preference shares – 44,616,717 Weighted average number of ordinary shares and potential shares assuming full conversion of preference shares 896,873,407 951,518,047 Diluted earnings per share 21.3 cents 33.3 cents For the year ended 31 December 2024, the diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share as the conversion of the non-redeemable convertible non-cumulative preference shares was considered anti-dilutive. 35 DIVIDENDS Company 2024 2023 $’000 $’000 Final tax exempt (one-tier) ordinary dividend paid of 8.0 cents (2023: 8.0 cents) per ordinary share in respect of the previous financial year 71,531 72,552 Special final tax exempt (one-tier) ordinary dividend paid of Nil (2023: 8.0 cents) per ordinary share in respect of the previous financial year – 72,552 Special interim tax exempt (one-tier) ordinary dividend paid of 2.0 cents (2023: 4.0 cents) per ordinary share in respect of the current financial year 17,868 36,276 Non-cumulative tax exempt (one-tier) preference dividend paid of 1.94 cents (2023: 1.93 cents) per preference share 5,212 6,399 Non-cumulative tax exempt (one-tier) preference dividend paid of 1.96 cents (2023: 1.97 cents) per preference share 5,255 5,855 99,866 193,634 After the respective reporting dates, the directors proposed the following ordinary dividends, which have not been provided for: Company 2024 2023 $’000 $’000 Final tax exempt (one-tier) ordinary dividend of 8.0 cents (2023: 8.0 cents) per ordinary share 71,472 72,552 ANNUAL REPORT 2024 FINANCIALS 163
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