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Equity ownership segregation, shareholder preferences, and dividend policy in China

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  • Wei, Gang
  • Xiao, Jason Zezhong

Abstract

We investigate how listed Chinese firms pay different types of dividend to satisfy shareholders, different dividend preferences shaped by institutional factors such as share tradability and asymmetrical taxation. We find that the cash dividend level is significantly and positively related to the proportion of non-publicly tradable shares and this relation is mainly driven by legal person shareholders' preferences for cash dividends. In contrast, the stock dividend level is significantly and positively associated with the proportion of publicly tradable shares. These findings provide an empirical rationale for the current reform on the segregation of equity ownership rights in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei, Gang & Xiao, Jason Zezhong, 2009. "Equity ownership segregation, shareholder preferences, and dividend policy in China," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 169-183.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bracre:v:41:y:2009:i:3:p:169-183
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bar.2009.07.001
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    21. Li, Xindan & Geng, Ziyang & Subrahmanyam, Avanidhar & Yu, Honghai, 2017. "Do wealthy investors have an informational advantage? Evidence based on account classifications of individual investors," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 1-18.
    22. Dasilas, Apostolos & Grose, Chris, 2019. "Valuation effects of tax-free versus taxed cash distributions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 307-321.
    23. Vassili Joannides & Nicolas Berland & Danture Wickramasinghe, 2010. "Post-Hofstede diversity/cultural studies: what contributions to accounting knowledge?," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-01661685, HAL.
    24. Xiao, Gang, 2015. "Trading and earnings management: Evidence from China's non-tradable share reform," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 67-90.
    25. Beladi, Hamid & Hu, May & Li, Silei & Yang, JingJing, 2022. "Dual-class share structure on the dividend payout policy: Evidence from China Concepts Stocks," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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