Westpac won't pay a first-half dividend, ANZ decision still pending

Tue, 18 Aug 2020

Westpac Banking Corp has decided it won't pay a first-half dividend despite assuring investors that its balance sheet is strong. "Given the desire to retain a strong balance sheet and the ongoing uncertainty in the operating environment, the board has now decided it is prudent not to pay a first-half 2020 dividend," Westpac said in a statement. Westpac also announced a further impairment charge against profit of A$826 million. That's on top of the A$2.24 billion in covid-19-related charges the bank announced with its first-half results in...

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