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Importance of Dividend Policy Explained
BY TOM 4 COMMENTS
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12 Companies That Know The Importance of Dividend
Policy
2. The importance of dividend policy is a critical factor when I invest in a stock.
Why is that? I won’t buy a stock unless it pays a dividend.
Certainly, not every investor agrees with my investment approach. But, a recurring
dividend is my first investment criteria before I consider investing in a stock.
Importance Of Dividend Policy
So today, I want to discuss the importance of dividend policy.
Along the way, we will answer a few questions. Questions like:
What is dividend policy?
Why is dividend policy important?
Does a company’s dividend policy affect its stock price?
What are some examples of dividend policies?
Let’s get started with the basics.
What Is A Dividend?
Dividends are payments made by a company to owners of the company’s
stock. They can be in the form of cash, additional shares of stock, or property.
It is important to note, that companies are not required to pay dividends. And, each
dividend payment must be approved in advance by the company’s board of directors.
3. Most dividends are paid in the form of cash. Cash dividends are the focus here at
Dividends Diversify. And, today’s article about the importance of dividend policy is no
exception.
What Is Dividend Policy?
As I mentioned, each dividend payment must be authorized by a company’s board of
directors. So, does the board just get together and say hey “let’s pay everybody a
dividend today”?
Most likely, the answer to that question is no. More typically, the company’s board has
established a dividend policy and distribution guidelines.
A dividend policy sets the parameters for delivering cash dividends to
shareholders. And the dividend policy must be determined in context with other cash
needs of a business.
Dividend policy is very important to me. Why? It determines how much cash I will
receive as a shareholder and when. Knowing this is important when you live off your
dividend payments.
Factors Affecting Dividend Policy
Management, working with the board of directors, must determine the best uses for a
company’s cash. From a high level, a company has 2 options for its cash:
Retain it
4. Pay it to shareholders
If they decide to retain it, they have several more options to consider. Specifically, they
can
Increase cash reserves or other liquid investments
Reinvest back into the business
Acquire another company
Pay off debt
Buyback shares of their stock
All of these competing options for the use of cash are factors affecting dividend policy.
For example, a company may have large amounts of debt. Furthermore, its debt
agreements may limit the dividends it can pay.
That is just one example of a specific factor affecting dividend payments. There are
many more.
But, that is an article for the future. So, I will put an article about factors determining
dividend policy on my to-do list for another day.
Every Company Has A Dividend Policy
Regardless, of what they decide to do with their cash, every company has a
dividend policy. The dividend policy may not be formalized. Furthermore, it may
never be communicated internally or externally.
Here are several examples. I do not own Amazon or York Water. And, I have no idea if
they have formally communicated a dividend policy. But, I know they have one by their
actions.
Amazon’s Dividend Policy
Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has never paid a dividend during its history. I’m not sure if
there has been any formal communication about the lack of dividend payments. Or,
what the future may hold for dividends from Amazon.
But, I need no communication. Amazon’s dividend policy based on its actions is
that they do not pay dividends.
York Water’s Dividend Policy
5. On the other extreme, York Water (NASDAQ: YORW) has paid dividends each year for
more than 200 years. Based on their history, I conclude that an investor in York will
receive dividends every year.
One more example from a company whose stock I do own. That stock being IBM.
IBM’s Dividend Policy
To my knowledge, IBM has not formally communicated specific details about its
dividend policy. But, I have seen elements of dividend policy when I read other
communications from the company.
In past press releases, IBM has used key phrases. For example, “support a solid
and growing dividend” and “fully committed to our dividend”.
These phrases help me understand IBM’s dividend policy. Feel free to read more about
IBM and IBM’s dividend policy. It is an interesting study.
Why Dividend Policy Is Important
So, let me conclude. If every company has a dividend policy, then a dividend
policy must be important.
Here’s an analogy. If everyone wears clothes in public, then wearing clothes in public
must be important. And it is! No one has to formally communicate this to me or you.
6. Wearing clothes in public is important and we know it. Just like a dividend policy.
But, the importance of a dividend policy is bigger than that. Here are a few reasons why
dividend policy is important.
Dividend Policy Provides Information To Investors
Dividend policy is important because it outlines the amount, method, type,
and frequency of dividend distributions. This is true whether the dividend policy is
formally stated. Or, informally implied.
One of the objectives of dividend policy is to send signals to current investors
and attract new investors. Sound dividend policy tells an investor what they can
expect by investing in a company’s shares of stock.
Also, every time a dividend is declared, it shows management’s confidence in the
prospects for the business.
A sound dividend policy builds trust and provides investors with confidence in
their investment. It suggests the company is solid, stable, well-managed, and
profitable. It encourages ownership by long-term investors not traders.
Some investors, like me, won’t invest in a stock if it doesn’t pay a dividend. Certain
mutual funds and exchange-traded funds will not invest in stocks that do not pay a
dividend. Many large scale institutional investors and activist investors demand a
suitable dividend policy.
Dividend Policy Encourages Management Discipline
Having a dividend policy that requires payment of a regular dividend sets a level
of discipline that management must follow with the use of cash.
They know that all cash is not available for reinvestment in the business or
acquisitions. So they must choose carefully when they allocate cash.
Dividend Policy Influences Stock Price And Value
7. Dividend policy influences the value of a company’s stock.
First of all, some stock valuation methods are entirely based on the present and
projected dividends paid by the company.
One such method is commonly known as the dividend discount model or the Gordon
Model. It is named after economist Myron J. Gordon.
I frequently use the dividend discount model. It is a tool for assessing the value of
dividend stocks that I cover for you here at Dividends Diversify.
The dividend discount model uses the recurring dividend payment today and the
expected growth of the dividend in the future. The greater each is, the more a
company’s stock is worth today.
Furthermore, a reliable and recurring dividend payment policy supports the stock
price. This is especially true during times when stocks and the stock market are going
down.
A falling stock price means a rising dividend yield. All else being equal a rising dividend
yield attracts investors and provides underlying support for the stock price.
Finally, many institutional investors and dividend funds will only own the stock of
a company if it pays a dividend. These types of investors and investments also
provide a floor for a stock’s price.
Types Of Dividend Policies
8. Dividend policies fall into 1 or a combination of several different methods. Let’s go
through each type of dividend policy next.
The descriptions are pretty logical. So, I will try to keep my explanations brief.
Regular Dividend Policy
As the name suggests, companies with a regular dividend policy pay dividends on
a consistent and predictable basis. Most likely, payments are made each quarter,
twice a year, or annually. Some pay dividends monthly.
A regular dividend is determined in one of 3 ways.
Constant Dollar
With a constant dollar dividend policy, the company decides a fixed amount of
dividend per share for the stockholders. Then, the dividend is paid on a
consistent and periodic basis during the year. Sometimes this method is also
referred to as a stable dividend policy.
Usually, there is no change in the dividend. This is true even if the company incurs a
loss or generates a higher than expected profit.
As the name suggests, the dividend stays a constant dollar amount per share. This
provides investors confidence about the future value and timing of dividend
payments they will receive.
First of all, many U.S. based companies have a constant dollar dividend policy.
Furthermore, this dividend policy is very helpful when determining the value of a stock
using a dividend valuation model. Finally, I like to fill my dividend portfolio with
companies that use a constant dollar dividend policy.
Constant Payout Ratio
In the case of a constant payout ratio, dividends are distributed to shareholders
based on a specific portion of the company’s earnings or cash flow.
The dividend distribution amount is directly proportional to the company’s
earnings. This method makes internal financing decisions from earnings or cash flow
much easier.
9. On the other hand, an investor has less certainty about the dividends they will
receive. Since profits and cash flow will never be the same from year-to-year.
Hopefully, the dividend grows each year. But, that is not guaranteed. Finally,
many non-U.S. based companies use the constant payout ratio dividend policy.
Residual Payout
A residual dividend payout policy means dividends are distributed from profits
but only after all other necessary capital outlays are accounted for.
It’s truly the money left over in the business. That is, after retaining the money
necessary for internal investment.
So, whatever money is left, the company pays shareholders in the form of
dividends. Similar to the constant payout ratio, an investor does not know how much
cash they will receive.
Irregular Dividend Policy
As the name implies, irregular dividends are paid on no particular schedule or
amount. Irregular dividends are most typical in businesses that have unpredictable
demand for their products and services.
Business unpredictability does not allow company management to commit to regular
dividend policy or stable dividend policy.
Regular Dividend & Extra Irregular Dividend Payments
In some cases a company’s dividend policy will combine elements of both regular
and irregular policies. As an income investor, this is the best of both worlds.
You can count on a company’s regular and recurring dividends. And when business is
going well, you can hope for an extra payment from the profits and cash flows of the
business.
No Dividends
Some companies do not pay dividends. Not paying dividend is their dividend
policy.
10. They simply do not have the cash to afford dividend payments. Or, choose to retain all
profits in the business, like our Amazon example.
Sound Dividend Policy And The Business Life Cycle
A company’s dividend policy often indicates its stage in the business life cycle. In the
best case, the nature of dividend policy is in sync with where a business is in its life
cycle.
Here are typical dividend policies associated with business life cycle stages.
Start-Up – A no dividend policy. All cash retained for internal investment and growth
initiatives.
Growth – A no dividend policy during early stages of rapid growth. Management
may consider an irregular dividend or constant dividend at a low rate as growth
slows.
Maturity – A regular dividend policy that shares a large portion of earnings with
investors in the form of dividends.
Decline – Many companies can continue to reinvent themselves. They can reside
permanently in the maturity phase.
A company like Abbott Labs is a perfect example. Abbott has nearly 150 years of
operating history. And, continues paying dividends without ever going into decline.
On the other hand, some companies enter an unavoidable state of
decline. Companies in decline rarely pay dividends. Or, if they do, their dividends
may be at risk of a future reduction.
One exception I see here is tobacco. Companies in the tobacco industry are working
hard to reinvent themselves. Mainly by introducing smokeless products. They are doing
so to avoid the inevitable decline in cigarette smoking.
So, by looking at a company’s life cycle stage, it easier to determine what an optimal
dividend policy for the company should look like.
Dividend Policy Statements
11. Not all companies formally communicate their dividend policies. But I sure like it when
they do. As I said, a clear dividend policy statement sends signals to us investors.
When I analyze a dividend stock here at Dividends Diversify, I always look to see if the
company has communicated a dividend policy statement. It is significant and important
to me when they do. So, I like to communicate their dividend policy to you!
What follows are some of the important dividend policy statements I found for the
holdings in the Dividends Diversify model portfolio.
These statements are not always easy to find. They come from a variety of sources on
company investor relations websites.
Where and how dividend policy is communicated depends on the company. As I said, it
may not be communicated to the public in any form.
This is unlike communicating financial statement information. For public companies,
financial statement information following accounting principles must be communicated
to the public on a timely schedule.
Sources For Dividend Policy Statements
First of all, I’ve found that the most typical sources for dividend policy statements
are:
Press releases announcing increasing dividend payments
Press releases announcing quarterly earnings
Strategic plan documents
Investor presentations
Presentations at industry conferences
Annual shareholder meeting presentations
Furthermore, these high profile communication methods emphasize the importance of
dividend policy.
Finally, by looking at a range of specific company examples we will more clearly
see different elements of dividend policy.
For example, the companies I invest in typically employ a regular dividend policy using
the constant dollar dividend policy. As a reminder, this is also known as a stable
dividend policy.
12. Investors know this based on the company’s dividend payment history. So, the
company’s dividend policy communications often focus on future dividend increases
or dividend growth objectives.
Here’s my list of 12 companies that know the importance of dividend policy. And,
share their dividend policy with the public. First of all, a few thoughts and
conclusions…
12 Company Examples Of Dividend Policy Statements
Judging from this non-scientific sample, utility companies are some of the best when it
comes to communicating dividend policy.
In contrast, I noticed none of my health care sector stocks made the list. But that
doesn’t bother me.
Why not? Just because a company does not formally communicate a dividend policy
does not mean it isn’t a good dividend stock for your investment dollars.
For example, Microsoft comes to mind immediately. It is one of the few remaining
companies with a AAA credit rating. And has built a nice history of annual dividend
increases for its shareholders.
Also, some companies communicate a more global return of capital strategy. It may
include combined targets for dividends and stock repurchases. Cummins is an example
of a company that does this.
Here’s the list…
NextEra Energy
13. Next
“The NextEra Energy board approved an updated dividend policy for beyond 2020. It is
expected to translate to a growth rate in dividends per share of roughly 10% per year
through at least 2022. The growth is off the 2020 base expected to be $5.60 per
share.”
Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy now expects to target an approximately 65 percent payout ratio…
This new payout ratio implies a 2021 dividend payment of around $2.50 per share. The
… annual dividend reflects the absence of income from the divested natural gas assets
and a revision to the company’s target payout ratio to align with best-in-class utility
industry peers.
Beginning in 2022, the company expects annual dividend-per-share increases of
approximately 6 percent per year. This represents a significant increase from previous
long-term dividend per-share growth guidance of 2.5 percent.
Kimberly Clark
The Kimberly Clark strategic plan states that future dividend growth will approximate
earnings per share growth.
AT&T
14. AT&T plans for “continued modest annual increases; dividends as % of free cash flow to
be less than 50% range in 2022.”
AEP
American Electric Power communicates in its recent investor presentation materials that
they expect earnings to grow 5-7% annually. And they intend to increase the dividend
each year at a similar rate.
ADP
According to a presentation from their 4th quarter of 2019 earnings release, ADP is
targeting a 55% – 60% dividend payout ratio.
Emerson
Emerson’s goal is to keep dividend payments less than or equal to 50% of free cash
flow.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy‘s stated objective is to increase the dividend 4-6% annually through
2023. This corresponds directly with projected annual earnings growth.
Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has a goal to payout 33% of accounting earnings in the
form of dividends.
Altria
Altria, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, states in a recent press release that their
dividend payout ratio target is approximately 80% of adjusted diluted earnings per
share.
Coca-Cola
15. Coke’s management intends to grow the dividend as a function of free cash flow, with a
75% payout ratio over time.
In the cola wars, advantage Coke. Why? Pepsi does not communicate its dividend
policy. But I know Pepsi has one.
Wisconsin Energy Group (WEC)
Management provides the following guidance on the WEC dividend growth rate:
Continuing to target dividend payout of 65-70 percent of earnings
Projecting dividend growth in line with earnings growth
Importance of Dividend Policy Wrap Up
Dividend policy is important because it outlines the amount, method, type, and
frequency of dividend distributions.
Other reasons that sound dividend policy is important include:
Builds trust with existing investors
Attracts new investors
Encourages investment from long-term investors, not traders
Projects confidence about the future from management
Instills capital allocation discipline in company management
16. Provides information for stock valuation
Provides underlying stability to the stock price
Not all companies formally communicate their dividend policy. But every company has
one.
From a dividend investor’s perspective, it is a big advantage when a company is clear
and transparent about its plans for the dividend.
Further Reading About Dividend Investing
Book review: The Little Book Of Big Dividends
Book review: Dividends Still Don’t Lie
Dividend stock recommendations from Simply Investing
Utility Forecaster investment newsletter review
Disclosure & Disclaimer
This article, or any of the articles referenced here, is not intended to be investment
advice specific to your situation. I am not a licensed investment adviser, and I am not
providing you with individual investment advice. The only purpose of this site is
information & entertainment. We are not liable for any losses suffered by any party
because of information published on this blog. See this site’s Disclaimer and Privacy tab
for more information.
The Importance of Dividend Policy Fully Explained
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Reader Interactions
Comments
1. Miguel (The Rich Miser) says
17. MAY 28, 2020 AT 2:08 PM
Hi Tom,
I like what you say about companies in decline not paying dividends. I’m not a corporate
lawyer, but I kind of remember hearing something like this in my corporations class. I
take regular dividends as a sign of strength, which makes it more likely I’ll invest in a
company.
Cheers,
Miguel
Reply
o Tom says
MAY 28, 2020 AT 7:36 PM
Well said, Miguel. Thanks! Tom
Reply
2. GYM says
MAY 30, 2020 AT 4:19 PM
Great post, loved the cool illustration.
I like dividend paying companies too, it sort of feels like they are more accountable to
their shareholders.
18. That being said, something like Berkshire Hathaway has never paid a dividend and
Warren Buffett is very accountable his shareholders and communicates well and has
integrity. Do you have BRK in your portfolio?
Reply
o Tom says
MAY 30, 2020 AT 8:29 PM
Hi GYM. I do not have BRK. Rightly or wrongly, I only invest in stocks and other securities
that pay dividends or interest. Tom
Reply
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