Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis of the literature on the changing perspectives of corporate distribution policy. Design/methodology/approach – This paper synthesizes and interprets the theoretical, empirical and survey-based research on corporate payout policy....

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to analyze survey results on the perception of dividends by managers of dividend-paying firms listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Design/methodology/approach – Managers from a sample of 291 dividend-paying TSX-listed Canadian firms were...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine cash dividends and stock repurchases in Canada from 1988 to 2006 and their relationship with earnings. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses logistic regressions to examine the likelihood of paying dividends and the timing of...

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...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to survey managers of dividend-paying firms listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India to learn their views about the factors influencing dividend policy, dividend issues, and explanations for paying cash dividends and repurchasing shares. The...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview and synthesis of some important literature on dividend policy, chronicle changing perspectives and trends, provide stylized facts, offer practical implications, and suggest avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach...