fin mang test #3 section #3

in a perfect market a manager can buy more stocks with "excess cash" created by dividend or sell a portion of stock "creating a dividend" but have brokerage fees (selling/buying stock isn't free)

invest in firms that have a dividend policy consistent with these preferences

company's dividend payment should = the cash left after financing al the investments that have positive net present valeus

• 1. company's investment opportunities
• 2. availability of internally generated capital...dividend policy is passive in nature and can't affect market price of CS

evidence shows that large, unexpected change in dividends can have a significant impact on the stock prices-- dividend policy seen as a signal about firms financial condition

costs (i.e. reduced stock price) associated with potential conflict between managers and investors when two groups aren't the same- dividends may make a meaningful contribution to the firm's value

be perceived as a tool to minimize agency costs

market reaction doesn't only reflect response to firm's actions, but also indicates investor's expectations about the ultimate decision to be made by management

dividend expected by shareholders and the actual amount of dividend paid to be same (market price of stock will remain unchanged)