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The annual general meeting (AGM) of companies has increasingly become not only a forum to publish business plans, but also a platform for leaders to engage directly with shareholders, raise concerns, and sometimes ask for understanding when making difficult decisions.
At the 2026 AGM of FPT Corporation, held on April 16 at FPT Tower in Hanoi, Chairman of the Board Truong Gia Binh addressed stock-price movements that have worried investors. He noted that FPT shares had fallen about 23% year-to-date in 2026 and were nearly 44% below the all-time high set in January 2025.
Mr. Truong Gia Binh said management empathizes with shareholders as the stock price declined sharply while the broader market rose. He pointed to investors’ concerns related to asset impairment and unmet short-term expectations.
Despite the near-term pressure, he emphasized that the 5–10 year horizon remains the focus. “With FPT, we believe FPT is truly being reborn,” Bình said, adding that over the next 5–10 years the company will master the nation’s core technologies and compete with leading global digital-transformation and AI groups.
Earlier, at Hoa Phat’s 2025 AGM, Chairman Tran Dinh Long also offered an apology to shareholders regarding dividend policy decisions. Just ahead of the meeting on April 17, 2025, Hoa Phat proposed paying 2024 dividends entirely in stock at a 20% ratio, instead of an initial plan of 5% cash and 15% stock.
The company cited changes in import tariff policies and a cautious approach to ensure cash for operations. In his remarks, Mr. Tran Dinh Long sought shareholder support for the decision not to pay cash dividends, which could affect investors’ cash flow in the short term.
He also reassured that, absent unusual factors, Hoa Phat would revert to cash dividends in 2026. The company described cash dividends as traditional and as one of the factors supporting Hoa Phat’s development into a nationally significant enterprise.
Beyond formal messaging, some corporate leaders have made more candid remarks at AGMs. At NovaLand’s 2023 AGM, Chairman Bui Thanh Nhon apologized directly to shareholders, customers, and employees after the company faced liquidity difficulties, project delays, and volatile share prices.
The chairman acknowledged that the challenges were beyond forecasts and urged continued support and more time to implement commitments. The case is viewed as one of the rare instances of a listed firm publicly apologizing to shareholders at an AGM, a setting typically associated with positive messaging.
Investors, however, continue to look for evidence that commitments will translate into improved results, cash flow, and long-term strategic execution after the meeting.
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