On the Timing of Dividend Initiations
Financial Management, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 31-65, Winter 2007
50 Pages Posted: 8 Feb 2007 Last revised: 20 Nov 2009
There are 2 versions of this paper
On the Timing of Dividend Initiations
Abstract
We study the timing and significance of dividend initiations in the life cycle of a firm. Following a sample of firms from the IPO onwards, and using a hazard model to examine which factors predict initiations, we find that: (i) initiators are large firms with relatively high profitability and cash balances, and low growth rates; and (ii) systematic risk does not change significantly around initiations, in contrast to previous studies on dividend changes. These results are contrary to the signaling theories of dividend policy. Finally, we find mixed evidence that a firm's propensity to initiate dividends is affected by the market sentiment for dividends.
Keywords: Dividend Initiations, Maturity Hypothesis, Dividend Premium
JEL Classification: G35
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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