preview

Gainesboro Mt

Good Essays

GAINESBORO MACHINE TOOLS CORPORATION

Overview
In mid September 2005, Ashley Swenson, the chief financial officer of this large CAD/CAM equipment manufacturer must decide whether to pay out dividends to the firm¡¦s shareholders or repurchase stock. If Swenson chooses to pay out dividends, she must also decide on the magnitude of the payout. A subsidiary question is whether the firm should embark on a campaign of corporate-image advertising and change its corporate name to reflect its new outlook. The case serves a review of the many practical aspects of the dividend and share buyback decisions, including(1) signaling effects, (2) clientele effects, and (3) finance and investment implications of increasing dividend payout and share …show more content…

The advantages of this option are that it takes into consideration Gainesboro¡¦s future growth and market aspirations, but also the concerns of its shareholders. On the other hand, inconsistent dividends may make institutional and retirement oriented investors wary of continued investment in the company, if steady payments cannot be determined. It also may worry value oriented investors who will see dividends paid out as a decrease in intrinsic value of the company, and a short-term solution that is more harmful to the long-term growth of the company.

In general, the decision to pay dividends should be looked at in terms of the company structure, and where the company is headed into the future. While the industry may pay a certain percentage of dividends, Gainesboro needs to understand that it is now a different company in terms of strategic competition and is more of a growth company, with its hopes resting on new product development. Dividend payouts are more characteristic of steady cash flow and ¡§blue-chip¡¨ companies, Gainesboro is no longer guaranteed a steady flow of cash due to innovations and stiff competition, and thus must realize that dividend payments will only detract from the intrinsic value generated in the future. Also, considerations must be given to the types of investors Gainesboro is

Get Access