Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd. said its underlying profit attributable to equity shareholders for the 2017 full year came to HK$19.56 billion, a 38.0% gain from HK$14.17 billion in the year-ago period on the back of good property sales in Hong Kong

Underlying EPS increased on an annual basis to HK$4.89 from HK$3.54, while reported EPS jumped to HK$7.61 from HK$5.48, as adjusted for the bonus issue in 2017.

Factoring in fair value change of investment properties and investment properties under development, reported profit attributable to equity shareholders came to HK$30.43 billion, a 39% rise compared to HK$21.92 billion in the prior-year period.

For the 12-month term ended Dec. 31, 2017, the company's net debt totaled HK$55.63 billion, a rise from HK$33.43 billion in the comparable period. The company said net assets totaled HK$298.61 billion in the full year, compared to HK$269.30 billion in the prior year.

The Hong Kong-based real estate company proposed to pay HK$1.23 per share as a final dividend to shareholders for 2017, up from the last paid interim dividend worth 48 Hong Kong cents. The payment will be made in cash June 21 to shareholders on record June 11.

Additionally, Henderson Land is planning a bonus issuance of 1 new share for every 10 shares held to shareholders on the register of members June 11.