We examined a large sample of companies over a 50 year time period. Our tests included controls for mean reversion in earning and other variables that have been posited to explain earning growth. We found a strong, positive association between current dividend payout and future earnings growth. These results are robust to 1) alternative measures of earnings, 2) additional controls for mean reversion in earnings, 3) various sub periods, 4) consideration of industry effects, and 5) the influence of share repurchases. We also found that, consistent with free cash flow theory, the positive relationship between dividend payout and future earnings growth is more prominent for companies with limited growth opportunities or a tendency toward overinvestment.