Listed specialty food ingredients and oleochemicals producer D&L Industries Inc. is banking on rising exports and expanded capacity from its Batangas plant to drive profitability in the coming years.

In a media briefing following the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Monday, President and CEO Alvin D. Lao said sustained profitability and healthy cash flow allow D&L to continue rewarding shareholders.

“We do expect profitability to continue to increase. So, we’re quite comfortable in terms of the outlook of future years’ dividends,” Lao said.

D&L declared total cash dividends of P1.52 billion, slightly up from P1.49 billion last year. This includes a regular dividend of P0.164 per share and a special dividend of P0.049 per share, payable on 2 July to shareholders of record as of 18 June.

The payout this year — equivalent to 65 percent of the prior year’s net income — brings total cash dividends since its 2012 IPO to P18.3 billion. The P0.213 per share dividend translates to a 3.8 percent yield based on the 30 May closing price of P5.64. D&L also issued a 100 percent stock dividend in 2015.

In the first quarter alone, net income rose 10 percent year-on-year to P681 million, driven by continued contributions from the Batangas plant. Return on equity improved to 12.1 percent, while return on invested capital rose to 10 percent.

Despite global uncertainties, D&L remains focused on long-term growth and resilience.

“Management believes that with D&L’s product portfolio, the majority of which cater to basic and essential industries, the company will continue to grow and be relevant in an ever-changing business environment and world trade order," Lao said.