With the Fresenius Financial Framework, Fresenius aims to generate attractive and predictable dividend yields. In line with its progressive dividend policy, the Company aims to increase the dividend in line with earnings per share growth (before special itemsBefore special itemsIn ​order ​to ​measure ​the ​operating ​performance ​extending ​over ​several ​periods, ​key ​performance ​measures ​are ​adjusted ​by ​special ​items, ​where ​applicable. ​Adjusted ​measures ​are ​labelled ​with ​“before ​special ​items”. ​A ​reconciliation ​table ​is ​available ​within ​the ​respective ​quarterly ​or ​annual ​report ​and ​presents ​the ​composition ​of ​special ​items., in constant currency), but at least maintain the dividend at the prior-year’s level. Due to legal restrictions as a result of the use of government compensation and reimbursement payments for increased energy costs provided for in the Hospital Financing Act, however, Fresenius will not propose to the 2024 Annual General Meeting to distribute a dividend for the 2023 fiscal year. Irrespective of the legally required suspension of dividend payments for the 2023 fiscal year, Fresenius will maintain its dividend policy in the future.