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Equity-incentive compensation and payout policy in Europe

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  • Burns, Natasha
  • McTier, Brian C.
  • Minnick, Kristina

Abstract

We examine the effects of executive compensation and investor protection on payout policy in Europe. We find a negative (positive) relationship between both option and restricted stock compensation and dividends (repurchases). However, when the incentive compensation is dividend protected, dividend payouts increase. Firms in weak investor protection countries pay higher dividends consistent with maintaining a reputation for distributing excess free cash flows. However, growth firms in weak investor protection countries reduce dividends (increase repurchases) in relation to increases in equity-incentive compensation. Our results are consistent with growth firms in weak investor protection countries using equity incentives as a substitute for dividends to reduce agency costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Burns, Natasha & McTier, Brian C. & Minnick, Kristina, 2015. "Equity-incentive compensation and payout policy in Europe," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 85-97.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:30:y:2015:i:c:p:85-97
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2014.10.019
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhang, Dan, 2018. "CEO dividend protection," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 194-211.
    3. Cook, Douglas O. & Zhang, Weiwei, 2022. "CEO option incentives and corporate share repurchases," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 355-376.
    4. Lee M. Dunham & Sijing Wei & Jiarui (Iris) Zhang, 2023. "Does a CEO’s ability to hedge affect the firm’s payout policy?," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 47(2), pages 303-322, June.
    5. Pochara Arayakarnkul & Pattanaporn Chatjuthamard & Suntharee Lhaopadchan & Sirimon Treepongkaruna, 2022. "Corporate governance, board connections and remuneration," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 795-808, July.
    6. Schmid, Stefan & Altfeld, Frederic & Dauth, Tobias, 2018. "Americanization as a driver of CEO pay in Europe: The moderating role of CEO power," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(4), pages 433-451.
    7. Chowdhury, Hasibul & Rahman, Shofiqur, 2023. "Do tournament incentives affect corporate dividend policy?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    8. De Cesari, Amedeo & Ozkan, Neslihan, 2015. "Executive incentives and payout policy: Empirical evidence from Europe," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 70-91.
    9. Patricia Kotnik & Mustafa Erdem Sakinc & Dejan Guduras, 2018. "Executive compensation in Europe: Realized gains from stock-based pay," Working Papers Series 78, Institute for New Economic Thinking.
    10. Karpavičius, Sigitas & Yu, Fan, 2018. "The impact of dividend-protected CEO equity incentives on firm value and risk," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 16-24.
    11. Ding, Chao & Ho, Choy Yeing & Chang, Millicent, 2021. "CEO and CFO equity compensation and dividend payout over the firm lifecycle," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    12. Artem E. Anilov & Irina V. Ivashkovskaya, 2018. "Do Boards Of Directors Affect CEO Behavior? Evidence From Payout Decisions," HSE Working papers WP BRP 69/FE/2018, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    13. Khalfan, Twahir M. & Wendt, Stefan, 2020. "The impact of ownership concentration on payout across Nordic firms," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Executive compensation; Payout policy; Agency costs; Corporate governance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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