By asking managers about their opinions and the motives underlying their firms’ payout policies, this
paper provides a unique perspective on corporate dividend and repurchase policies at the beginning of the
21st century. The evidence gathered through surveying and interviewing a large number of CFOs
contributes to our understanding of payout policy along three dimensions. First, in line with Lintner
(1956), we document stylized facts concerning dividend policy. In addition, we gather parallel
information on repurchase policies that we compare and contrast to dividend decisions. We also study
firms that do not pay dividends and do not repurchase shares. Second, given the wealth of payout theories,
we explore some of the underpinnings of these theories. Our hope is that this exploration will enable
researchers to derive theories that encompass a wider array of the motives for dividend and repurchase
policies. Finally, we provide a synthesis of the “rules of the game” that determine the context within
which management makes corporate decisions. Table 11 summarizes our key findings regarding
dividends and repurchases.
With respect to dividend policy, one of Lintner’s key findings still holds: dividend policy is very
conservative. From management’s perspective, dividend conservatism emanates primarily from the
market’s asymmetric reaction to dividend increases and decreases. Firms, therefore, are very reluctant to
cut dividends, and the current level of dividend payments is taken as given (except in extreme cases)..
By asking managers about their opinions and the motives underlying their firms’ payout policies, thispaper provides a unique perspective on corporate dividend and repurchase policies at the beginning of the21st century. The evidence gathered through surveying and interviewing a large number of CFOscontributes to our understanding of payout policy along three dimensions. First, in line with Lintner(1956), we document stylized facts concerning dividend policy. In addition, we gather parallelinformation on repurchase policies that we compare and contrast to dividend decisions. We also studyfirms that do not pay dividends and do not repurchase shares. Second, given the wealth of payout theories,we explore some of the underpinnings of these theories. Our hope is that this exploration will enableresearchers to derive theories that encompass a wider array of the motives for dividend and repurchasepolicies. Finally, we provide a synthesis of the “rules of the game” that determine the context withinwhich management makes corporate decisions. Table 11 summarizes our key findings regardingdividends and repurchases.With respect to dividend policy, one of Lintner’s key findings still holds: dividend policy is veryconservative. From management’s perspective, dividend conservatism emanates primarily from themarket’s asymmetric reaction to dividend increases and decreases. Firms, therefore, are very reluctant tocut dividends, and the current level of dividend payments is taken as given (except in extreme cases)..
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
