Dividend Policy, Signaling Theory: A Literature Review

Abstract

With imperfect market hypothesis, it is widely accepted that announcements of dividend payouts affect firm value. An explanation has been proposed with the cash flow signaling theory and the dividend information content hypothesis. This original explanation, was developed in theoretical models by Bhattacharaya (1979), John and Williams (1985) and Miller and Rock (1985). All these authors argue that since managers possess more information about the firm's cash flow than do individuals outside the firm and they have incentives to convey that information to investors in order to inform the true value of the firm. This paper aims at providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of dividend policy by reviewing the main theories and empirical findings under this signaling hypothesis.