Nonlinear dynamics in real economy and financial markets: The role of dividend policies in fluctuations

This paper investigates how dividend policies may influence the creation and propagation of cycles between real economy and financial markets. We focus on the effect of a constant dividend policy on the stability of the aggregate economy, by means of a discrete dynamical framework in which managers, individuals and financial mediators coexist. We show the counter-intuitive effect of the dividend payout ratio: in a developed economy, an increase in dividends leads to a lower stock price level due to the cross-feedback effect between markets. Moreover, in non-developed economies the choice of managers and individuals may not influence the propagation of fluctuations, while in developed economies, high payout ratios and high sensitivity to market trends trigger a cross-feedback effect between the two markets that amplifies their volatility and drags the whole economy into fluctuations and cycles.