What are the reasons for paying dividend?

Companies pay dividends from their profits to reward their shareholders for providing them the capital to run the business. It is up to the board of directors to determine what percentage of the earnings they use to pay dividends and how much they should retain in the business.

Why do companies pay dividends instead of reinvesting?

12 The argument against dividends is based on the belief that a company which reinvests funds (rather than paying them out as dividends) will increase the value of the company in the long-term and, as a result, increase the market value of the stock.

Why do share prices decline when dividends are cut?

After a stock goes ex-dividend, the share price typically drops by the amount of the dividend paid to reflect the fact that new shareholders are not entitled to that payment. Dividends paid out as stock instead of cash can dilute earnings, which can also have a negative impact on share prices in the short term.

Are we obligated to pay our shareholders a dividend?

Public corporations have no legal obligation to pay dividends to common shareholders, no matter how profitable they are or how much cash they have. For a company offering shares to the general public, however, the only recourse for shareholders would be to elect a board of directors more amenable to dividend payments.

Is it smart to reinvest dividends?

As long as a company continues to thrive and your portfolio is well-balanced, reinvesting dividends will benefit you more than taking the cash. But when a company is struggling or when your portfolio becomes unbalanced, taking the cash and investing the money elsewhere may make more sense.

Can stocks stop paying dividends?

Most stock is considered common stock, and dividends are issued at the discretion of the issuing entity. In this case, common dividends may be suspended indefinitely so the company can afford to pay preferred shareholders.