Does political instability influence dividend payout policy: evidence from Tunisian Stock Exchange?

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-267
Author(s):  
Nadia Loukil

PurposeThe purpose of this study tests whether political instability influence financial decision-making behavior of Tunisian-listed firms, in particular dividend payout policy.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses dividend payout decisions announced over the period 2008–2015 by nonfinancial firms listed on the Tunisian Stock Exchange. A logistic regression is applied to analyze the relationship between political instability and dividend payout decision “changes. These latter are: past non-payers” dividend initiation, past payers' dividend termination, dividend payout “increasing and dividend payout” decreasing. Political instability variables used are as follows: number of changes in government head and dummy variables indicating the changes of ruling party and election year.FindingsThis study shows that government head changes are positively related to dividend initiation decisions while changes in ruling party are negatively related to termination dividend decisions except for family controlled ones. These firms are more likely to stop dividend on period of ruling party changes. Moreover, firms become unwilling to increase dividend payment on the period of political instability (changes in ruling party and government head and elections) and become willing to decrease dividend payment only when the government head changes.Practical implicationsThe empirical findings contribute to the current debate on the signaling power of dividend policy in emerging market where raising equity capital is difficult and controlling shareholders prefer reinvest benefit to pay dividends. In addition, this study has important implications for regulators and governments struggling to design policies to improve investors' confidence and boost market activity. Indeed, investors may use corporate payout as a signal for better governance.Originality/valueTo the author' best knowledge, this paper is the first to investigate and to compare the effect of three political instability sources; government head changes, changes in ruling party and elections, on dividend payout decision changes. This paper provides evidence that firms facing political unstable environment seek to achieve two goals when they make dividend policy: reducing financial distress probability and attracting minority owners.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmi A. Boshnak

PurposeThis study examines the impact of board composition and ownership structure variables on dividend payout policy in Saudi Arabian firms. In particular, it aims to determine the effect of board size, independence and meeting frequency, in addition to chief executive officer (CEO) duality, and state, institutional, managerial, family, and foreign ownership on both the propensity to pay dividends and dividend per share for Saudi-listed firms over the period 2016–2019.Design/methodology/approachThe paper captures dividend policy with two measures, propensity to pay dividends and dividend per share, and employs a range of regression methods (logistic, probit, ordinary least squares (OLS) and random effects regressions) along with a two-stage least squares (2SLS) model for robustness to account for heteroscedasticity, serial correlation and endogeneity issues. The data set is a large panel of 280 Saudi-listed firms over the period 2016 to 2019.FindingsThe results underline the importance of board composition and the ownership structure in explaining variations in dividend policy across Saudi firms. More specifically, there is a positive relationship between the propensity to pay dividends and board-meeting frequency, institutional ownership, firm profitability and firm age, while the degree of board independence, firm size and leverage exhibit a negative relation. Further, dividend per share is positively related to board meeting frequency, institutional ownership, foreign ownership, firm profitability and age, while it is negatively related to CEO duality, managerial ownership, and firm leverage. There is no evidence that family ownership exerts an impact on dividend payout policy in Saudi firms. The findings of this study support agency, signalling, substitute and outcome theories of dividend policy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study offers an important insight into the board characteristic and ownership structure drivers of dividend policy in the context of an emerging market. Moreover, the study has important implications for firms, managers, investors, policymakers, and regulators in Saudi Arabia.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence on four board and five ownership characteristic drivers of dividend policy in Saudi Arabia as an emerging stock market, thereby improving on less comprehensive previous studies. The study recommends that investors consider board composition and ownership structure characteristics of firms as key drivers of dividend policy when making stock investment decisions to inform them about the propensity of investee firms to pay dividends and maintain a given dividend policy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Siti Nurainul Jannah

The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that influence the dividend payout policy on BUMN companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2011-2016. The independent variables used in this research are profitability, liquidity, asset growth, and company size. The method used is the method of quantitative research and the object of research is a state-owned company listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The data used in this study was secondary data in the form of financial statements obtained by data collection techniques using documentation method. The sample used in this research is twelve companies using purposive sampling method. The technique of data analysis using was multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS test tool. The results showed that all independent variables together positive effect on dividend policy. While the t-test results show that only Profitability variables that have a positive and significant influence toward the dividend payout policy. The independent variables liquidity, asset growth, and company size have a positive and insignificant effect on dividend policy. The dividend payout policy is one of the main concerns of the stakeholders. However, this study uses only four independent variables to analyze the factors that influence the dependent variable. The magnitude of influence of all independent variables in this study only 33% and the rest much influenced by other variables outside in this study. Keywords: dividend payout policy, profitability, liquidity, asset growth, company size


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-366
Author(s):  
Abdul Hameed ◽  
Farheen Zahra Hussain ◽  
Khawar Naheed ◽  
Muhammad Sadiq Shahid

Purpose: The objective of the paper is to examine the impact of corporate governance on the dividend payout policy of firms listed on the Pakistan stock exchange during 2010-2020. As Pakistani investors face issues regarding their return in the shape of dividends and depend upon the firm’s corporate governance strength. To test whether changes in firm code of corporate governance have a significant influence on dividend policy. Design/Methodology/Approach: The panel data has been used for the period 2010-2020 and panel least square has been applied. Further, to test the association, following factors such delisting risk, government tenure, political connection with institutional shareholding as many political firms hold corporate shares which influence the decision to pay dividends. Findings: Findings from the fixed effect model show that corporate governance has a negative impact on dividend policy while government tenure, politically connected firm has a positive impact on the dividend. The study also concludes that firm size, profitability, tax, asset turnover, leverage, and firm shareholding also influence firm dividend payment behavior. Implications/Originality/Value: The implication of study reveals that firms must focus on strong their governance and include more independent directors on the board which leads to favorable strategies regarding investors. The investor must invest in those firm where lower political connection, pay continuous dividend either high or low decease/increase delisting chances, strong corporate governance and firm specific factors also lead to make decision of dividend payment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishtiaq Ahmad ◽  
Muhammad Fahid Muqaddas

One good way to communicate financial performance of a bank to its shareholders is the payment of dividend. The present study is attempted to explore the influence of financial efficiency, safety, risk and profitability on dividend policy using panel data of 10 commercial banks listed at Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for a period of 9 years between 2006 to 2014. The panel regression technique is used to analyze the data. The analysis shows a positive relationship of dividend payout ratio with safety and profitability in banking sector of Pakistan. The study identifies a negative association of dividend payout measure with financial efficiency and risk. The results show the statistically significant association of safety, risk and profitability with dividend payout ratio. Based on these findings it is concluded that safety, risk and profitability measures are relatively strong measures for defining dividend policy. The results are strongly indicating that safer the banks, the greater payout ratio the bank has. Moreover; banks with higher profitability and lower non-performing loans (NPLs) are believed to pay more dividends. JEL code: G21, G23, G35


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1117-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Rajput ◽  
Shital Jhunjhunwala

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of ownership structure and corporate governance on dividend policy in emerging markets, like India. The study also analyses the moderation effects of board independence between ownership and dividend payout. Design/methodology/approach The data set of 1,546 Indian firms over the period of 2006-2017 has been used in this study. Tobit and logistic regression methods has been used. The data used in this study are collected from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) Prowess database. The sample firms are listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE). Findings First, the study finds a significant positive influence of corporate governance on the decision to pay dividend and is an important determinant of the payout decision. Second, the study finds a significant negative relationship of family ownership with dividend payout decisions which indicates that family firms pay lower dividend. Finally, the result from the interaction effect of board independence with family ownership has significant positive influence on dividend policy. Originality/value This is one of the first attempt to show that there is an interaction between independent board and ownership structure. It shows that more independent and non-executive directors in the board of family controlled firms are likely to pay more dividends.


Author(s):  
Peter E. Ayunku ◽  
Dumani Markjackson

This study examines the underlying components that determine the dividend policy statement of corporations in Nigeria. The study purposively select ninety-four (94) corporations out of the universe of companies listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Financial ratios were extracted and computed from published annual audited financial reports spanning 2007 to 2017. This was informed by the ex-post facto research design adopted to observe key indicators of these corporations in retrospect. The panel regression analysis was used to explain the numerical phenomenon collated. The Durbin-Wu-Hausman specification test found the fixed effect model to be more suitable. The empirical results indicate that financial leverage has a significant negative impact on dividend payout; liquidity has an insignificant positive impact on dividend payout policy; profitability has an insignificant positive impact on dividend payout decision; and company size has a significant positive impact on dividend payout dicision. The study concluses that liquidity, profitability and company size are the determinants of the dividend policy of corporations in Nigeria. More specifically, company size was found to be a major determinant to the dividend policy statement of corporations in Nigeria. The study suggests that, corporations should sustain their liquid positions, asset base and profit levels at all times to meet the universe of desires of their shareholders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Safdar Husain Tahir ◽  
Sara Sohail ◽  
Saba Babar ◽  
Irtaza Oayyum

This study empirically observes the impact of corporate governance index on dividend payout policy by using the data on thirty textile firms listed at Karachi Stock Exchange. The data cover the five-year period from 2009 to 2013. The data were gathered from financial statements of all the sample firms. Multiple regression models were used to check the impact of corporate governance on dividend policy. No effect of corporate governance index on firm dividend policy was found, and the largest shareholders also had no impact on dividend payout policy. A significant positive relationship was found between payout policy and stock value. Gross profit margin and operating profit margin had significant positive impact on the firm’s dividend payout policy. There is a significant correlation between the firm’s performance and payout policy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-118
Author(s):  
ARINDAM BANERJEE

Dividend policy continues to be a much debated research topic ever since the seminal works of John Lintner (1956), and Miller and Modigliani (1961). Among the many answered questions, doubt continues to remain on the specific factors that determine dividend policy and whether dividend policy can be structured dependently or independently. The aim of this study is to investigate the determinants of dividend payout policy on the South Korean firms listed on the South Korean Stock Exchange (KRX). In this study, five variables are considered as potential determinants of dividend payout policy. The study develops five research hypotheses, which are used to represent the main theories of corporate dividend payouts. Fixed effect regression model was applied on a sample of thirty listed companies on South Korean Stock Exchange for the period of four years from 2014 to 2017. The model was chosen to test the relationship between dividend determinants and dividend payout policy. The study hopes to potentially increase knowledge in the area of dividend payout policy with a view to improve prediction and establish a relationship between dividend determinants and dividend payout of South Korean firms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-17
Author(s):  
Eko Wahjudi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the variables that significantly affect dividend policy. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a type of comparative causal research (causal-comparative research), where the fact or event is identified as an influenced variable (dependent variable) and the variables that influence (independent variable) are investigated. In this study, the authors want to examine the effect of collateralizable assets, growth in net assets, liquidity, leverage and profitability of dividend policy by using quantitative approach. The data used are secondary data obtained from Indonesia Stock Exchange website with website address: www.idx.co.id. Findings The results showed that collateralizable assets have a negative, but not significant, effect on dividend policy. This shows that the high collateralizable assets do not affect the policy of the dividend of manufacturing companies. The second variable, growth in net assets, has a negative and significant effect on dividend policy. This shows that the higher growth in net assets will lower the dividend policy of manufacturing companies. Furthermore, the results show that liquidity has a negative and significant effect on dividend policy. This indicates that higher liquidity will lower the dividend policy of manufacturing companies. Furthermore, result that leverage has a negative and significant effect on dividend policy is obtained. This suggests that the higher leverage will lower the dividend policy of the manufacturing company. And lastly, profitability has a negative, but not significant, effect on dividend policy. This shows that high profitability does not affect dividend policy of manufacturing companies. Originality/value The authors contribute to prior research by providing the empirical evidence on the impact of collateralizable assets, growth in net assets, liquidity, leverage and profitability on dividend policy in Indonesia market as an emerging market.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (11) ◽  
pp. 1437-1453
Author(s):  
Bipin Kumar Dixit ◽  
Nilesh Gupta ◽  
Suman Saurabh

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the dividend payout behavior of Indian firms and test whether the three prominent dividend policy theories (signaling, life-cycle and catering) explain the dividend policy of Indian firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test the three theories using the methodology based on the studies of Nissim and Ziv (2001), DeAngelo et al. (2006) and Baker and Wurgler (2004). For testing the signaling theory, the authors regress the change in earnings on the rate of change in dividends using the pooled and Fama–Macbeth regressions. The life cycle theory is tested by running a logistic regression of the dividend payment decision on two proxies of life-cycle measured by the ratio of earned to total equity. Finally, the catering theory tests the relationship between the decision to pay a dividend and the dividend premium.FindingsThe results based on a sample of Indian firms from 1992 to 2017 show that the dividend policy of Indian firms can be explained using the life-cycle theory. However, there is no evidence in support of the signaling and catering theories.Originality/valueIt provides insights into the dividend policy of Indian firms. Though there have been a few studies examining the dividend payout in India, none of the existing studies tests these theories of dividend payout. The existing research using the Indian data provides indirect evidence about the life-cycle theory. This study is the first one to test the application of these theories for Indian firms.


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