تجاوز إلى المحتوى الرئيسي

Does Debt Structure Explain the Relationship between Agency Cost of Free Cash Flow and Dividend Payment? Evidence from Saudi Arabia

Author name : Moez Younes Dabboussi
Publication Date : 2024-05-26
Journal Name : Journal of Risk and Financial Management

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of debt financing on dividend payments when they face the agency costs of free cash flow. It focuses on a sample of 120 firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange during the period of 2011–2021. The findings from the Generalized Least Squares regression model revealed that the presence of agency costs of free cash flows may limit the funds available for dividend payments. Regarding the moderating effect of debt structure, the research highlights the significant role of long-term debt in making more prudent use of free cash flow. The use of long-term debt becomes more effective and can enhance shareholder wealth when a firm is facing agency costs of free cash flow. More specifically, bondholders primarily focus on affirmative covenants which require the firm to undertake specified actions such as maintaining assets and financial ratios, or paying taxes, but they do not restrict financing activities such as dividend payments. Since interest and debt repayments are fixed obligations, using free cash flow for dividend disbursement is considered a more profitable and beneficial approach for shareholders in the context of Saudi Arabia. This study contributes to our understanding of financial management under different debt structures and improves our scientific knowledge of the culture of Saudi firms regarding the dividend distribution policy.

Keywords

debt structure; agency cost of free cash flow; dividend payment; panel data analysis

Publication Link

https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17060223

Block_researches_list_suggestions

Suggestions to read

HIDS-IoMT: A Deep Learning-Based Intelligent Intrusion Detection System for the Internet of Medical Things
Ahlem . Harchy Ep Berguiga
Generalized first approximation Matsumoto metric
AMR SOLIMAN MAHMOUD HASSAN
Structure–Performance Relationship of Novel Azo-Salicylaldehyde Disperse Dyes: Dyeing Optimization and Theoretical Insights
EBTSAM KHALEFAH H ALENEZY
“Synthesis and Characterization of SnO₂/α-Fe₂O₃, In₂O₃/α-Fe₂O₃, and ZnO/α-Fe₂O₃ Thin Films: Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Applications”
Asma Arfaoui
تواصل معنا