Baidu unveils first-ever dividend and US$5 billion buy-back amid AI race
In a move designed to steady investor nerves, Baidu signalled a shift towards more predictable payouts as AI spending continues to rise
The company said in a stock exchange filing that its board had approved a share repurchase programme running through the end of 2028.
Baidu also declared its first-ever dividend payment this year, which may include regular or special distributions.
Its shares rose 1 per cent to HK$138.50 as of noon trading break, after earlier jumping as much as 2.4 per cent following the announcement.
The buy-back programme and dividend plan were in line with expectations, said analysts led by Alicia Yap at Citigroup in a note, adding that a more consistent and transparent approach to shareholder returns was likely aimed at improving investor confidence and would be “viewed positively by the market”.
They expect Baidu to formally declare the dividend either when it reports its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings or alongside its first-quarter 2026 results in May.