The Impact of Dividend Policy on Share Price Volatility: Empirical Evidence from Jordanian Stock Market

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dividend policy and share price volatility with a focus on companies represent four sectors listed in Jordanian stock market. For this purpose, a sample of 53 companies listed in main market of Bursa Amman were selected and the relationship between share price volatility with two main measurements of dividend policy, dividend yield and payout ,were examined by applying multiple regression for a period of 13 years from 2001 to 2013. The primarily regression model was expanded by adding control variables including size, stock repurchase, and stock dividend. The empirical results of this study showed significant negative relationship between share price volatility with dividend payout and a very weak positive relationship between dividend yield and share price volatility. Moreover, a significant positive relationship between share price volatility and size is found. Based on findings of this study, dividend payout and stock dividend have most impact on share price volatility amongst predictor variables.

Keywords: Price volatility, dividend yield, dividend payout ratio, size, stock repurchase, and stock dividend..