Effect of Dividend Policy on Stock Price Volatility in Nigeria Stock Exchange

Abstract

This paper seeks to determine the effect of dividend policy and dividend payment on share price volatility in Nigeria. Several literatures have showed evidence that dividend policy vary inversely proportional with share price volatility with duration effect. The study used data from the actively trading companies listed in the Nigeria Securities Exchange for a period of ten (10) years from 2005–2014. The estimation is based on panel data analysis between dividend policy measures (dividend payout, dividend per share, earnings after tax, dividend declared and number of share) and Share price volatility. The findings from the random effects regression results showed dividend per share is the major determinants of share price volatility in NSE (β = 0.6870, ρ<0.05). Dividend payout ratio negatively affect share price volatility (β =0.612, ρ>0.05) and earnings after tax negatively affect share price volatility (β =0.038, ρ>0.05).Thus, the higher the payout ratio the less the share price volatility, and the higher the earnings after tax lower the share price volatility. In conclusion, dividend per share has positive effect and inclusive relationship with market share prices. It is recommended that firms should try and improve on their financial performance that will enable consistent increase in the dividend per share for positive impact on market value.