Corporate dividend policy in the time of COVID-19: Evidence from the G-12 countries

This paper examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affects corporate dividend policy. Utilizing a sample of 8889 firms listed in the G-12 countries, the findings show that although the proportion of dividend cuts and omissions is significantly higher during the pandemic, yet the majority of firms could either maintain or increase dividends. By doing so, firms might aim to purse more stable dividend policies and signal their financial prospects during the crisis, as posited by dividend signaling theory. Logit regression findings reveal that firm profitability, earnings prospects, size and leverage appear to be important determinants of dividend policy decisions during the pandemic.