Effect of Financial Leverage on Dividend Policy of Quoted Conglomerates in Nigeria

This study assessed the effect of financial leverage on dividend policy on conglomerates listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2010 to 31st December, 2015. Six (6) quoted conglomerates were selected for this study. Panel data were employed in this study. The study made use of Ex-post facto research design in conducting the research. The study made use of secondary data obtained from fact books and annual report and accounts of the selected quoted conglomerates in Nigeria as at 31st December 2015. The relevant data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using STATA 13 software. Pearson's coefficient of correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis were the statistical tools used in this study. In order to verify the quality of the data used, Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) was employed to test for multicollinearity among the variables. In addition, the robust regression test was used to correct the problem of Heteroskedasticity among the variables in the model while Hausman test was used to determine the fixed effect and random effect of the variables used in this study. The results of this study revealed that financial leverage (proxied by short term debt, long term debt and total debt) has statistically significant effect on dividend policy of quoted conglomerates in Nigeria at 5% significance level. The study recommends that debt financing in the financial mix of the conglomerates should be done at an optimal level so as to ensure proper utilization of the firms' assets