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Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019.

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Other Authors: Wolmarans, H.P. (Hendrik Petrus)
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2019
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Wolmarans, H.P. (Hendrik Petrus)
author_browse Wolmarans, H.P. (Hendrik Petrus)
author_facet Wolmarans, H.P. (Hendrik Petrus)
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:09.691Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2019
publishDateRange 2019
publishDateSort 2019
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/71733 Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Wolmarans, H.P. (Hendrik Petrus) u23317257@tuks.co.za Hall, J.H. (John Henry) Munzhelele, Ntungufhadzeni Freddy UCTD Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. Dividend payout decisions remain one of the key functional areas in corporate finance, as it involves the means by which shareholders receive returns on their investments. For many decades, the academic debate on payout decisions has been ongoing as researchers attempted to analyse and explain how these decisions impact on the creation and maximisation of value for shareholders; the fundamental reasons why companies exist. Researchers have not found conclusive answers to put the debate to rest; rather attempts to put together pieces of the dividend dynamics have raised more questions and hence the dividend puzzle. The recognition of share repurchases as payout option (and hence distribution decisions) have made the debate quite complex. The current study, thus sought to contribute to distribution decisions’ debate in a number of ways. The study firstly reviewed the extended dividend payout models of Fama and Babiak (1968), and Andres, Betzer, Goergen and Renneboog (2009) thereby adding further explanatory variables and then tested the extended model in the South African setting. The data of 110 sample companies (Panel 1) which were also disaggregated into 85 value companies (Panel 2) and 25 growth companies (Panel 3) was used. The hypotheses were tested using the ordinary least squares (OLS), difference general method of moments (Diff GMM), system generalized method of moments (Sys GMM) and least square dummy variable correction (LSDVC) estimators. The study confirmed results of similar previous researches and also identified further trends relating to South African corporate setting. It was found that companies have target payout ratios which they adjust towards, also managers are reluctant to change (increase) dividends which may have to be cut again later and in their endeavours to create and maximise value, may have to sacrifice paying dividends. These trends are evident more with growth companies. The study secondly, tested the dividend life cycle hypothesis. A sample of 119 companies (Panel 4) were used in this regard, as well as a disaggregated sample of 86 value companies (Panel 5) and 33 growth companies (Panel 6). The hypotheses were tested using the same estimation procedures as mentioned above. The results showed that the dividend life cycle hypothesis is prevalent among South African companies. Specifically, it was observed that the considered companies pursuing growth projects paid less dividends. Furthermore, the growth companies have shown to be more aggressive in their pursuance for growth and hence are able to create more value for shareholders than value companies. Lastly, the study examined the extent to which share repurchases are used as payout option (i.e., payout flexibility), as well as factors that determine the payout flexibility. The sample number of 52 companies (Panel 7) were used in this regard and hypotheses were tested using the OLS, Diff GMM and Sys GMM. The results indicated that there is inherent flexibility of share repurchases over cash dividends; the size of company has negative and significant correlation with payout flexibility. This implies that larger companies pay out a lower fraction of payout as repurchases, and thus evidence of attitude of managers of these companies relatively different from that of smaller ones; and that share repurchases serve both substitute and complementary roles to cash dividends. This evidence collectively makes unique contribution to existing body of knowledge, particularly, for emerging economic settings, and managers will be provided with enhanced decision alternatives in their endeavours to maximise value. TM2019 Financial Management PhD Unrestricted 2019-10-09T14:23:04Z 2019-10-09T14:23:04Z 19/09/03 2019 Thesis Munzhelele, F 2019, Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, PhD Thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71733> S2019 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71733 en © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
title Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
title_full Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
title_fullStr Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
title_full_unstemmed Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
title_short Distribution policy and creation of shareholders' wealth : a study of firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange
title_sort distribution policy and creation of shareholders wealth a study of firms listed on the johannesburg stock exchange
topic UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71733