Are dividends impacted by the timing of macro data releases? Case of WIG, DAX and S&P500

Abstract

Purpose: This paper attempts to reveal, on the one hand, whether dividend paid by dividend-paying companies from the WIG, DAX and S&P500 indices for the period 2017-2022 were characterized by positive dynamics of change in real terms, and whether decisions on the level of dividends recommended for payout are more determined by macroeconomic factors from the end of the year, in which the company generated financial results, or from the period, in which dividend decisions were made. Design/methodology/approach: The research objective of this paper is accomplished by means of a thorough literature analysis. In the area of statistical methods, the authors refer to classical methods of correlational analysis, with a focus on non-parametric methods (Spearman’s rho and Kendall’s tau). Findings: The analyses carried out made it possible to indicate that, for companies listed on the FSE and WSE, the only quantity correlated with changes in dividends paid is the PMI index, with a negative correlation for Polish companies and a positive one for German companies. This correlation occurs only if one considers December macroeconomic data readings. On the other hand, for NYSE-listed entities, statistically significant relationships were obtained for the PMI index (negative), the inflation rate (negative) and interest rates (positive). With the exception of interest rates, the correlations apply to both December readings and those from May of the dividend payout year. At the same time, the results indicate different decisions made by the boards of US, German and Polish companies in the face of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Research limitations/implications: The study was conducted on a limited number of analyzed companies and for a limited time range. Therefore, it could be biased, due to the deterministic stock sampling method and the research period. Practical implications: Expanded knowledge of the impact of the timing of publication of macroeconomic parameters on decisions on dividend payouts and their amount. This knowledge is important for both investors and investment funds’ boards. Consequently, one can make better investment decisions. Social implications: Among the paper’s social implications, the most important appears to be a possible change in the investors’ attitude towards dividend-paying companies that not only pay dividends systematically, but also have positive dynamics of change, and the realization that dividend decisions are affected not only by a number of determinants, but also by the timing of their occurrence. Ultimately, investors’ needs could be better addressed. Originality/value: The paper evaluates the impact of macroeconomic determinants on changes in dividend payouts by companies for the period 2017-2022. What is new in the paper is the analysis of whether the timing of the publication of macroeconomic parameters significantly affects the level of dividends paid, thereby filling our knowledge gap. Keywords: dividend-paying companies, determinants of dividend policy, macroeconomic indicators, inflation. Category of the paper: Research paper