This study explores why firms distribute excess cash as specially designated dividends (SDDs) instead of using regular dividends or repurchasing shares. We survey top managers of NASDAQ, AMEX, and NYSE firms issuing at least one SDD between 1994 and 2001. The results show that firms tend to pay...

We examine the impact of the May 2003 dividend tax cut and managerial stock holdings on corporate dividend initiation decision. We find that managers who hold sizable stakes in their companies are more likely to initiate dividends following this tax cut. This positive relation is stronger for...