On the Determinants of Corporate Dividend Policy : A Tobit Model Approach

This study examines the factors that impact the dividend payout ratio of Turkish firms that are listed in Borsa Istanbul-100 Index for the period 2005-2013. Random-effect Tobit panel regression is used in order to investigate the determinants of dividend policy. According to the empirical results, firms which have higher cash flows, large firms, firms with high growth opportunities pay higher dividends. Although a significant coefficient for the managerial ownership can not be found for the whole sample, this variable negatively affects dividend payout ratio in dividend paying firms. Further, the sample is divided into two parts as low leverage firms and high leverage firms. The expected substitution among leverage, managerial ownership and dividend payments is investigated and a significant relation can not be found