Assuming the company has sufficient distributable profits, a dividend can be distributed as soon as all necessary corporate approvals are signed. A reasonable time period for paying a dividend is 3 to 4 weeks from the time the process starts to obtain the necessary corporate approvals up to the payment of the dividend.
No, there are no specific timing restrictions on when the dividends are to be paid.
However, as any distribution has to be justified by reference to the last annual financial statements, dividends are usually declared after the annual financial statements have been presented to the shareholders.
Any distribution has to be justified by reference to the last annual financial statements accompanied with an auditor's report, prepared and presented to the shareholders in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Ordinance. The amount of a distribution which may be made is determined by reference to the following financial items: (1) profits, losses, assets and liabilities; (2) provisions; and (3) share capital and reserves (including undistributable reserves).
If the financial items in the last annual financial statements do not disclose sufficient distributable profits, the company may make reference to interim financial statements that are necessary to enable the directors to make a reasonable judgment as to the amounts of the financial items, and hence the amount of distributable profits. There is no specific requirement for the interim financial statements to be audited.
Yes, there are restrictions on the amount of dividends that can be paid.
Under the Companies Ordinance, a company may only make a distribution out of profits available for distributions. For this purpose, a company's profits available for distribution are its accumulated, realised profits, so far as not previously utilised by distribution or capitalisation, less its accumulated, realised losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganisation of capital duly made.
The articles of association of the company should also be reviewed for any additional restrictions that may be imposed.
Yes, it is possible to increase reserves by capital reduction which may be done by way of (1) a shareholder special resolution supported by a solvency statement or (2) a court sanctioned process.
For (1), it generally takes two and a half to three months for a straightforward case taking into account a 5-week waiting period during which the creditors may apply to the court to have the shareholder special resolution approving the capital reduction cancelled.
No, there are no regulatory approvals required in Hong Kong in connection with payment of a dividend.
No, there are no foreign exchange controls in Hong Kong.
Yes, it is possible, assuming the loan does not impact on the company's profits available for distributions and it is in the interests of the company to do so.
Yes, dividends in kind are possible if the articles of association of the company permit the same.