Impact of Dividend Payout Ratio on the Value of Firm: A Study of Companies Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dividend payout ratio on the value of firm. The study also examined other factors that affect the value of firm while employing companies listed on the Nigerian stock exchange. The factors which were considered to affect the value of the firm in this study include profitability, leverage policy ratio, dividend policy ratio, cash holding and the size of the firm. The study employed Panel Ordinary Least Square Regression Techniques in analyzing the collated data. The sample in this study is drawn from breweries and beverages companies listed on the Nigerian stock exchange between the periods 2007-2016. The results showed that profitability ratio and leverage ratio positively and significantly impact on the value of the firm. This implies that only the variables of Firm Leverage, and Profit after Tax are significant factors that drives firm value in both breweries and beverages companies among listed companies in Nigeria. The study however recommends that corporate managers whose interest is to raise firm value should ensure the maximization of Profit after Tax, and focus on policies that will improve the leverage ratio of the firm.