Samsung approves a record $80bn shareholder return, and the stock falls

Samsung Electronics approved a 2026 shareholder-return programme of 90-110 trillion won, including roughly 30 trillion won in cash dividends for Q3 and a 15 trillion-won buyback for employee compensation. The amount is five times the 2020 record but below investor expectations of up to 150 trillion won, causing a 2.6% post-market share drop. Analysts noted the programme lacks detail on how buybacks and dividends will be split, affecting the incremental value returned to shareholders.