[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung SDS saw their stock prices surge more than 10% intraday on the 26th as the possibility of dividend increases gained attention.
Following the passing of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, the inheritance tax amount that the bereaved family, including Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, is expected to pay is estimated to exceed 10 trillion won. It is interpreted that the stock prices of related affiliates jumped sharply as there are expectations that dividends from affiliates could be increased to secure funds for this trillion-won scale inheritance tax.
As of 9:07 a.m. that day, Samsung Life Insurance recorded 70,000 won, up 10.46% from the previous trading day. It started rising sharply right after the market opened and surged intraday up to 15.69%, trading at 73,000 won.
Samsung SDS also traded at 181,500 won, up 5.22% from the previous trading day. Intraday, it rose as much as 10.14% to 190,000 won, breaking past its previous high range.
Meanwhile, the value of listed shares held by Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee is approximately 18.22 trillion won, and considering the inheritance tax rate according to the shareholding ratio, the inheritance tax is estimated to reach 10.93 trillion won. Since the inheritance value is calculated based on the average stock price two months before and after the deceased’s death, the exact calculation of the inheritance value will be determined two months later.
In the securities industry, it is expected that the first inheritance tax will be prepared through Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s retirement pay and cash holdings, and subsequent inheritance taxes will be managed by utilizing dividends from major companies held by Vice Chairman Lee and stock-backed loans on inherited shares.
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