Payout policy, financial flexibility, and agency costs of free cash flow

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 218-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Oded
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Agency Costs ◽  
Payout Policy ◽  
Free Cash Flow ◽  
Financial Flexibility

Corporate cash flow and dividends smoothing: a panel data analysis at Bursa Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apedzan Emmanuel Kighir ◽  
Normah Haji Omar ◽  
Norhayati Mohamed
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Payout Policy ◽  
Free Cash Flow ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate and find out the impact of cash flow on changes in dividend payout decisions among non-financial firms quoted at Bursa Malaysia as compared to earnings. There has been renewed debate in recent finance and accounting literature concerning the key determinants of changes in dividends payout policy decisions in some jurisdictions. The conclusion in some is that firms base their dividend decisions on cash flows rather than published earnings. Design/methodology/approach – The research made use of panel data from 1999 to 2012 at Bursa Malaysia, using generalized method of moments as the main method of analysis. Findings – The research finds that Malaysia non-financial firms consider current earnings more important than current cash flow while making dividends payout decisions, and prior year cash flows are considered more important in dividends decisions than prior year earnings. We also found support for Jensen (1986) in Malaysia on agency theory, that managers of firms pay dividends from free cash flow to reduce agency conflicts. Practical implications – The research concludes that Malaysian non-financial firms use current earnings and less of current cash flow in making changes in dividends policy. The policy implication is that current earnings are dividends smoothing agents, and the more they are considered in dividends payout decisions, the less of dividends smoothing. Social implications – If dividends smoothing is encouraged, it could lead to dividends-based earnings management. Originality/value – The research is our novel contribution of assisting investors and government in making informed decisions regarding dividends policy in Malaysia.

CEO Entrenchment and Corporate Hedging: Evidence from the Oil and Gas Industry

2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 887-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen Kumar ◽  
Ramon Rabinovitch
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Agency Costs ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Price Volatility ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Free Cash Flow ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Corporate Hedging

AbstractUsing a unique data set with detailed information on the derivative positions of upstream oil and gas firms during 1996–2008, we find that hedging intensity is positively related to factors that amplify chief executive officer (CEO) entrenchment and free cash flow agency costs. There is also robust evidence that hedging is motivated by the reduction of financial distress and borrowing costs, and that it is influenced by both intrinsic cash flow risk and temporary spikes in commodity price volatility. We present a comprehensive perspective on the determinants of corporate hedging, and the results are consistent with the predictions of the risk management and agency costs literatures.

The Agency Costs of Free Cash Flow: Acquisition Activity and Equity Issues

1991 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven V. Mann ◽  
Neil W. Sicherman
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Agency Costs ◽  
Free Cash Flow ◽  
Equity Issues

Agency Cost and Dividend Pay-out: A Study of Selected Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Obiageli Anazonwu ◽  
Francis Chinedu Egbunike ◽  
Felix Nwaolisa Echekoba
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Agency Costs ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Agency Cost ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Free Cash Flow ◽  
Dividend Payments ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Cost Studies ◽  
Positive Effect

Agency cost is an internal cost which arises between management (agent) and shareholder (principal), because of the diverging interest of the two parties. Dividend payments are often employed to mitigate this cost. Studies have examined the effect of dividend pay-outs on agency costs documenting mixed findings. However, the literature on the reverse effect of agency costs on dividend pay-outs is still nascent. The main objective of the study is to examine the effect of agency cost on dividend pay-out of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study used a panel research design. The population of the study comprised listed manufacturing firms, but delimited to firms in conglomerate and consumer goods sectors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Data for the study were collected from yearly financial statements of the selected firms. The hypotheses were tested using pooled OLS Regression. The dependent variable of the study was dividend pay-out, while assets to sales ratio, leverage, and free cash flow were proxies of agency cost. Firm size and profitability measures (ROA and ROE) were used as control variables in the study. The study found a significant and positive effect of assets to sales ratio and free cash flow, and a significant and negative effect of leverage on dividend pay-out. The study recommended amongst others that, managers should consider the implication of agency costs in the design of in the design and implementation of a dividend policy.

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