Deutsche Post shareholders approve dividend hike and DHL AG transition

During the Annual General Meeting held in Bonn on May 5, 2026, the shareholders of Deutsche Post AG signaled their overwhelming support for a transformative modernisation plan. The assembly approved a comprehensive strategic realignment designed to streamline operations and enhance the company's international profile under the DHL brand.

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of a dividend increase. Shareholders voted with a 99.88% majority to raise the payout to €1.90 per share. This represents a significant distribution of approximately €2.1 billion to the Group’s investors. Melanie Kreis, CFO of DHL Group, noted:

“We have significantly increased earnings per share and generated a strong free cash flow. This solid financial foundation enables a higher dividend and reflects our disciplined capital allocation as well as our commitment to delivering reliable and attractive returns.”

The centerpiece of the Strategy 2030 roadmap, titled “Accelerate Sustainable Growth,” is the legal restructuring of the Group. Shareholders gave a nearly unanimous 99.95% approval to rename the listed parent entity DHL AG. Under this new structure, the domestic Post & Parcel Germany division will be transitioned into an independent, non-listed subsidiary. While the operational mail business will keep the name Deutsche Post AG, the parent company DHL AG will focus on overarching group governance and global strategy. Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group, explained the rationale behind the move:

“With the modernisation of our Group structure, we are consistently aligning the company with our proven divisional management model. Clear operational responsibilities and a focused corporate center strengthen our competitiveness, enhance strategic flexibility, and support sustainable, profitable growth.”

The meeting also addressed leadership stability, re-electing Dr. Rolf Bösinger and Stefan B. Wintels to the Supervisory Board. To ensure the company remains agile in a shifting economy, a new authorisation was passed allowing the issuance of bonds up to a nominal amount of €2 billion. As the Group prepares to register these changes in the commercial register later this year, the high voter turnout of 68.80% confirms that investors are firmly aligned with the transition from the traditional postal structure to a modernized, global logistics framework.