ASX Ltd. announced it will pay a lower first-half dividend and maintain reduced payouts for the next few years to cover expenses from a regulatory investigation and the search for a new chief executive. The Australian Securities Exchange revealed the move after disclosing costs tied to the probe, which could run into millions of dollars. ASX stated the dividend cuts are necessary to preserve capital amid uncertainty, signaling potential long-term pressure on returns for shareholders. ASX is actively recruiting a replacement for outgoing CEO Dominic Stevens, whose departure last month triggered the executive search and associated transition costs.