Dividends and Share Repurchases

Corporate Finance and Valuation · 4:56

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When companies make profits, what should they do?
Keep the cash inside or share it with you?
Miller and Modigliani said it doesn't matter at all
Dividend policy won't make your stock rise or fall
But others disagree, let me tell you why
Some theories suggest your returns can fly

[Chorus]
Dividends flow, repurchases grow
Bird in the hand or let the money go
Stable payments, constant rates
Residual cash, whatever it takes
Share buybacks boost the price per share
Tax effects show investors care

[Verse 2]
Bird in the hand theory says cash today
Is worth more than promises of future pay
Tax preference argues capital gains are best
Lower tax rates put more money in your chest
Clientele effect means different folks want different things
Retirees love dividends, young investors want capital swings

[Chorus]
Dividends flow, repurchases grow
Bird in the hand or let the money go
Stable payments, constant rates
Residual cash, whatever it takes
Share buybacks boost the price per share
Tax effects show investors care

[Verse 3]
Signaling theory says dividends send a sign
When management pays out, the future looks fine
Three policies guide how companies decide
Stable dividend keeps payments by your side
Constant payout ratio means a fixed percent
Residual dividend pays what's left after investment

[Bridge]
Open market purchases happen every day
Tender offers set a price that companies pay
Dutch auction lets the market find the rate
Stock splits and stock dividends don't change your fate
Just more shares at lower price, the value stays the same
It's all about the total wealth in this financial game

[Chorus]
Dividends flow, repurchases grow
Bird in the hand or let the money go
Stable payments, constant rates
Residual cash, whatever it takes
Share buybacks boost the price per share
Tax effects show investors care

[Outro]
When shares go down but earnings stay
Your EPS will rise that day
Book value changes with each buy
These theories help explain just why

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