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Flexible firm-level dividends in Latin America

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  • von Eije, Henk
  • Goyal, Abhinav
  • Muckley, Cal B.

Abstract

We show, for a sample of up to 757 industrial firms, in seven Latin American countries from 1994–2014, that these firms exhibit comparatively flexible payout behavior. Flexibility is defined in respect to (i) variability in firm payout status and amounts and (ii) parameters of the Lambrecht-Myers (2012) theory on the Lintner (1956) dividend equation. The results indicate that Latin American firms have higher speeds of adjustment and target payout ratios as well as lower rates of habit formation than found in the payout policies of United States firms. This note, thus, highlights an open question regarding conspicuously flexible payout policies in Latin American firms.

Suggested Citation

  • von Eije, Henk & Goyal, Abhinav & Muckley, Cal B., 2017. "Flexible firm-level dividends in Latin America," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 133-136.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:23:y:2017:i:c:p:133-136
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2017.02.012
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    Cited by:

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    2. Braun, Matías & Rubio, Germán & Tigero, Tamara, 2023. "Payout policy around the world," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dividends; Flexibility; Latin America;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance

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