Determinants of dividend pay-out policy: a case of the South African gold mining industry

Abstract

This paper sought to shed light on dividend policy within the gold mining industry in South Africa. Several cause-and-effect variables of dividend policy are discussed, in order to lay down the theoretical framework for the research. These are size, managerial ownership and foreign ownership. To meet the objectives of the study, data from seven mining companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) was analysed for a 5 year (2008-2012) period. As found in earlier studies, there is a positive correlation (r = 0.59) between the dividend policy and the size of the organisation. This was expected as no cashflow is available for distribution during the early stages of exploration, hence no dividends are paid. As the organisation grows and profit increases, there is free cashflow which can be distributed to shareholders. Managerial ownership negatively correlates with dividend pay-out (r = -0.53). Contrary, a weak correlation was observed between foreign ownership and dividend pay-out.