Dividend payout ratio follows a Tweedie distribution: international evidence

Abstract

Dividend policy is still a largely discussed issue in corporate finance literature. One of the main indicators used in analysing the dividend policy is the dividend payout ratio. Using a database consisting of 12,085 companies operating in 73 countries, for the period 2008-2014, the authors found that the dividend payout ratio follows a Tweedie distribution, and not a normal one. This distribution is stable over time for the entire analysed period. In addition, it describes the case of almost all the countries included in the sample. Thus, a better estimation of the probability that dividend payout ratio is lower or higher than a benchmark can be provided. Also, an analysis of dividend policy, distinctly considering payer versus non-payer companies, can offer additional important information for both practitioners and academics.