This is a study to see the relationship between earnings per share and dividends during a period of both boom and depression. The study will focus on companies listed on Stockholm stock exchange and see if they follow theories from the past and if the dividend is smooth over times with a fluctuant economy. To see this we had this problem: Is it a relationship between earnings per share and dividend during a fluctuant economy, also if there is a difference between the different Caps on Stockholm stock exchange? We studied 163 stocks of the 293 listed stock on Stockholm stock exchange during a period of 8 years. The study is focused on the time period between year 2005 and year 2012. We used IBM SPSS statistics to see the correlation and regression between earnings per share and dividend and analysed that. We used Microsoft Excel to make graphs and analysed them. The study didn’t find any strong relationship between earnings per share and dividend. The strongest connection we found was for companies listed on Small Cap where the correlation was 0,461. The weakest connection that was found was for companies listed as Mid Cap where the correlation was 0,211. For companies listed as Large Cap the correlation was 0,283.

The dividend payout policy is a very debated topic, in this thesis the differences between Sweden and Vietnam will be examined. By examine two different countries with more or less the same landmass, but regarding economic, culture and politics they differ highly.   The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were a difference between the countries in dividend payout ratios, to see if the countries payout a high or a low dividend during the years 2005 to 2012. The second purpose was to examine if there was a significant differences in the movements in the markets. The third purpose was to examine how the two countries acted during the financial crisis, if the dividend payout ratio changed. This may tell how the policies in the two countries differ and how long term or short term the firms within the countries were planning and which kind of investors they are attracting. The data being used is collected historical data from firms with in each of the countries. The thesis follows a quantitative research method based on a deductive and an inductive approach. The research design is comparative for examination of two the countries data samples and for the purposes descriptive and explanatory studies have been done. In order to determine whether there is a relationship between the countries dividend payout ratio, the normality of the data sample have been examined, showing that the data were not normal distributed. Therefor the data were examined with a Mann- Whitney test and by a Kruskal- Wallis test.   The result indicates that there is a difference between the countries in dividend payout ratios in the case of Vietnam and Sweden under the years 2005 to 2012. Comparing countries together between the years to determine possible differences, the dividend payout ratio was insignificant in 2005 to 2008, but significant in the years 2009 to 2012. The examination of Vietnam and Sweden separately with years as factors the dividend payouts in Vietnam showed a significant difference but an insignificant result in Sweden during the year 2005 to 2008. Further, the results showed that there is a difference between the years in Sweden between 2009 to 2012 but no differences in Vietnam under the same years.

Η πολιτική μερισμάτων απασχολεί τα Διοικητικά Συμβούλια όλων των επιχειρήσεων και λαμβάνεται υπόψη προκειμένου κάθε επιχειρηματική οντότητα να λάβει ορθές αποφάσεις για τη μελλοντική πορεία της. Στο πρώτο μέρος της εργασίας γίνεται μια εισαγωγή στο θέμα. Αναφέρονται οι στόχοι κάθε επιχείρησης, η έννοια του καθαρού κέρδους, ο ορισμός, οι τύποι και οι λειτουργίες των μερισμάτων, η έννοια της μερισματικής πολιτικής, τα είδη της και οι παράγοντες που την επηρεάζουν. Στο δεύτερο μέρος περιγράφεται ο αντικειμενικός σκοπός αυτής της εργασίας. Εν συνεχεία, στο τρίτο μέρος ακολουθεί μια σύντομη ιστορική αναδρομή, όπου γίνεται αναφορά των πιο σημαντικών μελετών κι ερευνών που έχουν διαδραματίσει σημαντικό ρόλο στη διατύπωση διαφόρων θεωριών περί μερισματικής πολιτικής. Στο τέταρτο μέρος επιχειρείται μια εμπειρική μελέτη επιχειρήσεων εισηγμένων στο Χρηματιστήριο της Νέας Υόρκης (New York Stock Exchange) έτσι ώστε να ερευνηθεί η σχέση των μερισμάτων τους με άλλα σημαντικά οικονομικά μεγέθη των εταιριών αυτών. Στο πέμπτο μέρος παρουσιάζονται τα εμπειρικά αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν έπειτα από την εφαρμογή τριών διαφορετικών υποδειγμάτων καθώς επίσης και κάποια περιγραφικά στοιχεία. Στο έκτο και τελευταίο μέρος της διπλωματικής εργασίας αναφέρονται τα συμπεράσματα που διεξάγονται από τη μελέτη / The dividend policy employs the Boards of all businesses and taken into account in any business entity to take good decisions about their future course. In the first part of this work is an introduction to the subject. Describe the objectives of each company, the concept of profit, the definition, types and functions of dividends, the effect of dividend policy, types and factors affecting it. The second part describes the objective of this work. Subsequently, the third part follows a brief history, citing the most important studies and research have played an important role in formulating various theories on dividend policy. The fourth part attempts an empirical study of companies listed on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) to investigate the relationship between dividends with other key financial figures of those companies. The fifth part presents the empirical results obtained after applying three different models as well as some descriptive information. The sixth and final part of this thesis, the conclusions of the study conducted.

A presente pesquisa busca verificar empiricamente o impacto da lei do dividendo obrigatório sobre o investimento das empresas de capital aberto. Para alcançar este objetivo três hipóteses foram criadas. A primeira objetiva testar se o valor marginal do caixa diminui com o pagamento de dividendos acima do mínimo obrigatório, testando assim o pagamento de dividendos no Brasil como proxy para restrição financeira, visto que esta classificação é importante em modelos de investimento. A segunda busca mensurar o impacto do dividendo obrigatório no investimento de empresas brasileiras de capital aberto que distribuem apenas o dividendo mínimo. A última hipótese avalia a influência deste mecanismo legal em uma amostra multi-países. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o dividendo obrigatório impacta direta e indiretamente no investimento das companhias. E, este efeito é ainda maior e mais relevante para as empresas restritas financeiramente. Considerando o contexto nacional, onde as fontes de financiamentos são caras e escassas, esta evidência obtida pela presente pesquisa possui grande relevância para o mercado financeiro. / The present research seeks to empirically verify the impact of the mandatory dividend on publicly traded companies’ investment. To achieve this goal, three hypotheses were created. The first one aims to test if the marginal value of cash decreases with the payment of dividends above the mandatory minimum, thus testing the distribution of dividends in Brazil as proxy for financial constraint, since this classification is important in investment models. The second seeks to measure the impact of the mandatory dividend on the investment of Brazilian publicly traded companies that distributed only the minimum dividend. The last hypothesis evaluates the influence of this legal mechanism on a multicountry sample. The results indicate that the mandatory dividend has a direct and indirect impact on the companies’ investment. And, this effect is even greater and more relevant for financially constrained companies. Considering the national context, where the sources of financing are expensive and scarce, this evidence obtained by the present research has great relevance for the financial market.

abstract: This dissertation consists of two essays on corporate policy. The first chapter analyzes whether being labeled a “growth” firm or a “value” firm affects the firm’s dividend policy. I focus on the dividend policy because of its discretionary nature and the link to investor demand. To address endogeneity concerns, I use regression discontinuity design around the threshold to assign firms to each category. The results show that “value” firms have a significantly higher dividend payout - about four percentage points - than growth firms. This approach establishes a causal link between firm “growth/value” labels and dividend policy. The second chapter develops investment policy model which associated with du- ration of cash flow. Firms are doing their business by operating a portfolio of projects that have various duration, and the duration of the project portfolio generates dif- ferent duration of cash flow stream. By assuming the duration of cash flow as a firm specific characteristic, this paper analyzes how the duration of cash flow affects firms’ investment decision. I develop a model of investment, external finance, and savings to characterize how firms’ decision is affected by the duration of cash flow. Firms maximize total value of cash flow, while they have to maintain their solvency by paying a fixed cost for the operation. I empirically confirm the positive correlation between duration of cash flow and investment with theoretical support. Financial constraint suffocates the firm when they face solvency issue, so that model with financial constraint shows that the correlation between duration of cash flow and investment is stronger than low financial constraint case. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Economics 2015

A presente pesquisa busca verificar empiricamente o impacto da lei do dividendo obrigatório sobre o investimento das empresas de capital aberto. Para alcançar este objetivo três hipóteses foram criadas. A primeira objetiva testar se o valor marginal do caixa diminui com o pagamento de dividendos acima do mínimo obrigatório, testando assim o pagamento de dividendos no Brasil como proxy para restrição financeira, visto que esta classificação é importante em modelos de investimento. A segunda busca mensurar o impacto do dividendo obrigatório no investimento de empresas brasileiras de capital aberto que distribuem apenas o dividendo mínimo. A última hipótese avalia a influência deste mecanismo legal em uma amostra multi-países. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o dividendo obrigatório impacta direta e indiretamente no investimento das companhias. E, este efeito é ainda maior e mais relevante para as empresas restritas financeiramente. Considerando o contexto nacional, onde as fontes de financiamentos são caras e escassas, esta evidência obtida pela presente pesquisa possui grande relevância para o mercado financeiro. / The present research seeks to empirically verify the impact of the mandatory dividend on publicly traded companies’ investment. To achieve this goal, three hypotheses were created. The first one aims to test if the marginal value of cash decreases with the payment of dividends above the mandatory minimum, thus testing the distribution of dividends in Brazil as proxy for financial constraint, since this classification is important in investment models. The second seeks to measure the impact of the mandatory dividend on the investment of Brazilian publicly traded companies that distributed only the minimum dividend. The last hypothesis evaluates the influence of this legal mechanism on a multicountry sample. The results indicate that the mandatory dividend has a direct and indirect impact on the companies’ investment. And, this effect is even greater and more relevant for financially constrained companies. Considering the national context, where the sources of financing are expensive and scarce, this evidence obtained by the present research has great relevance for the financial market.

Este estudo teve como objetivo obter evidências sobre a relação entre a política de dividendos adotada pelas empresas listadas na BM&FBOVESPA e as suas respectivas estruturas de propriedade e de controle. Adicionalmente, buscou-se identificar possíveis alterações ocorridas no tempo no que se refere às estruturas de propriedade e de controle e aos níveis de dividendos pagos pelas companhias. Para tanto, foram analisadas 297 companhias abertas no período de 2005 a 2012, cujos dados estavam disponíveis no banco de dados Economática, através da aplicação do modelo Tobit. Os resultados apontam que empresas com estruturas de controle e de propriedade concentradas tendem a distribuir menos dividendos. Também foi constatado que houve redução nos níveis de alavancagem de controle (diferença entre concentração de controle e de propriedade) nos últimos anos, mas isso não resultou em níveis mais altos de distribuição de dividendos. De modo geral, os resultados confirmam a existência de conflitos entre controladores e minoritários no Brasil. / This study aimed to obtain evidence on the relationship between the dividend policy adopted by companies listed on BM&FBOVESPA and their respective ownership and control. In addition, the study sought to identify possible changes in time with respect to the ownership and control and the levels of dividends paid by the companies. For this, 297 public companies were analyzed in the period from 2005 to 2012, using data available in Economática and applying the Tobit model. The findings point that firms with concentrated ownership and control tend to distribute less dividends. It was also found that there was a reduction in leverage levels of control (difference between concentration of ownership and control) in recent years, but this has not resulted in higher levels of dividend payments. Overall, the results confirm the existence of conflicts between controlling and minority shareholders in Brazil.

Este estudo teve como objetivo obter evidências sobre a relação entre a política de dividendos adotada pelas empresas listadas na BM&FBOVESPA e as suas respectivas estruturas de propriedade e de controle. Adicionalmente, buscou-se identificar possíveis alterações ocorridas no tempo no que se refere às estruturas de propriedade e de controle e aos níveis de dividendos pagos pelas companhias. Para tanto, foram analisadas 297 companhias abertas no período de 2005 a 2012, cujos dados estavam disponíveis no banco de dados Economática, através da aplicação do modelo Tobit. Os resultados apontam que empresas com estruturas de controle e de propriedade concentradas tendem a distribuir menos dividendos. Também foi constatado que houve redução nos níveis de alavancagem de controle (diferença entre concentração de controle e de propriedade) nos últimos anos, mas isso não resultou em níveis mais altos de distribuição de dividendos. De modo geral, os resultados confirmam a existência de conflitos entre controladores e minoritários no Brasil. / This study aimed to obtain evidence on the relationship between the dividend policy adopted by companies listed on BM&FBOVESPA and their respective ownership and control. In addition, the study sought to identify possible changes in time with respect to the ownership and control and the levels of dividends paid by the companies. For this, 297 public companies were analyzed in the period from 2005 to 2012, using data available in Economática and applying the Tobit model. The findings point that firms with concentrated ownership and control tend to distribute less dividends. It was also found that there was a reduction in leverage levels of control (difference between concentration of ownership and control) in recent years, but this has not resulted in higher levels of dividend payments. Overall, the results confirm the existence of conflicts between controlling and minority shareholders in Brazil.

The number of dividend paying firms has been on the decline since the popularity of stock repurchases in the 1980s, and the recent financial crisis has brought about a wave of dividend reductions and omissions. This dissertation examined the U.S. firms and American Depository Receipts that are listed on the U.S. equity exchanges according to their dividend paying history in the previous twelve quarters. While accounting for the state of the economy, the firm’s size, profitability, earned equity, and growth opportunities, it determines whether or not the firm will pay a dividend in the next quarter. It also examined the likelihood of a dividend change. Further, returns of firms were examined according to their dividend paying history and the state of the economy using the Fama-French three-factor model. Using forward, backward, and step-wise selection logistic regressions, the results show that firms with a history of regular and uninterrupted dividend payments are likely to continue to pay dividends, while firms that do not have a history of regular dividend payments are not likely to begin to pay dividends or continue to do so. The results of a set of generalized polytomous logistic regressions imply that dividend paying firms are more likely to reduce dividend payments during economic expansions, as opposed to recessions. Also the analysis of returns using the Fama-French three factor model reveals that dividend paying firms are earning significant abnormal positive returns. As a special case, a similar analysis of dividend payment and dividend change was applied to American Depository Receipts that trade on the NYSE, NASDAQ, and AMEX exchanges and are issued by the Bank of New York Mellon. Returns of American Depository Receipts were examined using the Fama-French two-factor model for international firms. The results of the generalized polytomous logistic regression analyses indicate that dividend paying status and economic conditions are also important for dividend level change of American Depository Receipts, and Fama-French two-factor regressions alone do not adequately explain returns for these securities.

This research aims to examine if a negative relationship exists between the dividend yield and stock price volatility of firms listed on the Swedish Stock exchange market, which is of utter interest and intrinsic for investors and financial analyst in the process of valuing a security’s and a stock portfolio's risk and return. The data that was utilized for this study consists of 52 companies for the period of 2010 to 2019 which makes up for 520 observations. A pooled regression model and a multiple ordinary least squares model was applied to test the relationship. The results show a negative relationship between the dividend yield and stock price volatility. On the other hand, the results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between earnings volatility and stock price volatility. However, there is a negative relationship for leverage, market value and asset growth with stock price volatility.