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Journal of Financial Stability Vol. 65 2023

The impact of short selling on dividend smoothing

Bill B. Francis1; Gilna Samuel2; Qiang Wu3

1 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · 2 University of Portland · 3 Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Abstract

We examine the impact of stock-price formation process on firms’ dividend smoothing using Regulation SHO. We find that pilot firms are more likely to increase dividends and less likely to omit them during the pilot program; however, they are more likely to decrease dividends after the program ends. These firms also smooth less and have higher adjustment speeds. Our findings are more pronounced for firms with higher information asymmetry, stronger financials, and weaker governance. In general, this study shows that financial markets tend to have a significant and long-lasting impact on dividend smoothing policy.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfs.2023.101117
Volume
65
Pages
101117
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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