In: Finance
What factors do firms consider when establishing a dividend policy?
Factors firms consider when establishing dividend policy
1. Retained earnings: If the company can invest the retained
earnings with higher ROE then the company may delay its dividend
payment.
2. Stability in earnings. If the earnings are stable or growing the
firm will payout dividend regularly.
3. Liquidity position: If the liquidity of the firm is not good the
company may not payout dividends even if the retained earnings are
high.
4. Financing needs of firm: Retained earnings also act as source of
funding such like common shares. If the company feeds it needs to
change it capital structure for better performance it might use
retained earnings for funding projects.
5. Positive signal to the market: The Company may payout dividend
to send a positive signal to the market about the company’s
performance and to build trust among the shareholders.
6. Legal factors: The dividend policy may be designed to adhere to
legal terms of the country in which it is operating
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