RusEnergy

RBC, 28.04.2005, Moscow 13:13:22.LUKoil dividends have met investors' expectations, analysts say. Alfa Bank experts say that LUKoil is to allocate 21 percent of its net income for 2004 to pay dividends, as it was announced. The recommendations voiced by the board of directors are approved, LUKoil shares will bear the dividends yield of at least 3 percent taking into account the current market price for these securities. LUKoil has been increasing this ratio for the past several years, they say. Industry observers believe that the oil company will stick to this strategy in the future. Others say that the company will allocate 30.5 percent of its RAS net income for dividend payments. The current yield on shares is 2.9 percent due to high price for LUKoil securities, experts point out. The company has posted RAS net profit of RUR78.027 (around USD2.786bn). Thus, dividends are to equal to about 22 percent of IAS net profit for the reported period.