The Impact of the Covid-19 Crisis on Common Stock Dividend Payout Policy

Abstract

For many investors, dividends play a key role in evaluating the return of a common stock and the main reason for making the investment. For those investors, dividends are a necessary aspect since they are a vital source of income. But with the Covid-19 pandemic, many corporations have been adversely affected by a global economic slowdown. For publicly traded corporations, depending on its industry, dividends have been sharply affected to the point of either being reduced or suspended indefinitely. Using the Standard and Poor’s 500 stock index as a guide, stock analysts can possibly acquire a better understanding as to how reduced or suspended dividend income will affect different investors. The aim and purpose of this paper is to examine the affect the reduction and suspension of dividends will have as a source of needed income for private investors, pension funds, mutual funds, insurance companies, and real estate investment trusts.