Sonova Holding AG (SWX: SOON), a global leader in hearing care solutions, held its 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 16, 2026, in Stafa, Switzerland. Shareholders approved all motions submitted by the Board of Directors, including the highest dividend in the company's history. The AGM saw 354 shareholders attend in person, representing 67.84% of the share capital.
The approved agenda included the Annual Report, consolidated financial statements, and the report on non-financial matters for the 2025/26 financial year. Shareholders also endorsed the appropriation of retained earnings and a gross dividend of CHF 4.70 per registered share, corresponding to a payout ratio of approximately 45%. Payment is scheduled from June 23, 2026. The discharge of the Board of Directors and Group Executives for the past financial year was also formally approved.
The Compensation Report for 2025/26 was accepted in a non-binding advisory vote. In separate binding votes, shareholders approved the maximum aggregate compensation for the Board from the 2026 AGM to the 2027 AGM, and for Group Executives for the 2027/28 financial year.
All Board members standing for re-election were confirmed individually. Three new independent directors were elected: Ingrid Cotoros, Malina Man Lin Ngai, and Hooi Ling Tan. Roland Diggelmann (Chair), Gregory Behar, and Julie Tay were re-elected to the Nomination & Compensation Committee, with Malina Man Lin Ngai joining as a new member. Ernst & Young AG, Zurich, was re-elected as auditor, and Anwaltskanzlei Keller AG, Zurich, as independent proxy for another year.
Sonova's strong performance in the 2025/26 financial year, with sales of CHF 3.6 billion and net profit of CHF 546 million, underpins the record dividend. The company employs over 18,000 people and operates through brands such as Phonak, Unitron, AudioNova, and Advanced Bionics. Sonova was ranked no. 12 among Europe's most innovative companies in 2025 by Fortune magazine. Detailed voting results will be available on the Sonova website at https://www.sonova.com/en/AGM. The next AGM is scheduled for June 15, 2027.
The approval of all board motions and the record dividend signal strong shareholder confidence in Sonova's strategy and financial health, reinforcing its position as a leading innovator in hearing care solutions globally.