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Dividend preference of tradable‐share and non‐tradable‐share holders in Mainland China

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  • Louis T. W. Cheng
  • Hung‐Gay Fung
  • Tak Yan Leung

Abstract

Comprehensive data on corporate announcements of Chinese firms allows us to examine the preference for, and determinants of, cash and stock dividends. The results indicate that Chinese public investors prefer stock dividends over cash dividends, which are preferred by large state and legal person shareholders generally. Stock dividends, which do not require an explicit cash outflow from a firm, are found to be positively related to higher earnings, supporting the signalling hypothesis of dividend policy. In an imperfect market, these results have some implications for government regulation of financial markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis T. W. Cheng & Hung‐Gay Fung & Tak Yan Leung, 2009. "Dividend preference of tradable‐share and non‐tradable‐share holders in Mainland China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(2), pages 291-316, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:49:y:2009:i:2:p:291-316
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-629X.2008.00284.x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Su, Zhong-qin & Fung, Hung-Gay & Huang, Deng-shi & Shen, Chung-Hua, 2014. "Cash dividends, expropriation, and political connections: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 260-272.
    3. Xi He & Mingsheng Li & Jing Shi & Garry Twite, 2016. "Why do firms pay stock dividends: Is it just a stock split?," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 41(3), pages 508-537, August.
    4. Kuo, Nan-Ting & Lee, Cheng-Few, 2013. "Effects of dividend tax and signaling on firm valuation: Evidence from taxable stock dividend announcements," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 157-180.
    5. Yung, Kenneth & Jian, Yi, 2017. "Effects of the shareholder base on firm behavior and firm value in China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 370-385.
    6. Jianan Guo, 2016. "Ultimate Controlling Shareholders and Dividend Payout Policy in Chinese Stock Market," Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies (RPBFMP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 19(02), pages 1-35, June.
    7. Cheng, Louis T.W. & Leung, T.Y. & Yu, Wayne, 2014. "Information arrival, changes in R-square and pricing asymmetry of corporate news," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 67-81.
    8. Paul McGuinness & Kevin Lam & João Vieito, 2015. "Gender and other major board characteristics in China: Explaining corporate dividend policy and governance," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 989-1038, December.
    9. Kim, JooMan & Yang, Insun & Yang, Taeyong & Koveos, Peter, 2021. "The impact of R&D intensity, financial constraints, and dividend payout policy on firm value," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    10. Zijian Cheng & Charles P. Cullinan & Zhangxin (Frank) Liu & Junrui Zhang, 2021. "Cross‐listings and dividend size and stability: evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 415-465, March.
    11. Xiaoyan Chen, 2015. "The determinants behind Chinese companies’ incremental equity issue decisions," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 40(4), pages 701-723, November.
    12. Liu, Chunyan & Uchida, Konari & Yang, Yufeng, 2014. "Controlling shareholder, split-share structure reform and cash dividend payments in China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 339-357.
    13. Hu, Zhenyu & Chang, Jui-Chin, 2022. "Does air pollution affect dividend policy," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    14. Cheng, Louis T.W. & Chan, Ricky Y.K. & Leung, T.Y., 2010. "Management demography and corporate performance: Evidence from China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 261-275, June.

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