Can Dividend Yield Predict Stock Returns?

Follow us on LinkedIn

Dividend yield is a financial metric that provides insight into the income generated by an investment in the form of dividends, relative to its market price. Expressed as a percentage, the dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend per share by the current market price per share. This measure is particularly valuable for income-oriented investors seeking stable returns from their investments.

Reference [1] explores the connection between dividend yield, stock volatility, and expected returns. Volatility is measured as the trailing twelve-month average of the difference between monthly high and low prices. The authors pointed out,

We provide empirical evidence that excessively volatile prices drive the return predictability. Inter-temporally, dividend yields are highly profitable following periods of heightened volatility, generating approximately 1.5% per month, but these are the only periods when yield strategies generate significant returns. Similarly, in the cross-section, dividend yield predicts returns amongst volatile firms. While we find strong evidence that, during periods of high return volatility, dividend yield strategies generate significant returns, over the entirety of our sample computing dividend yield by scaling dividends by current prices generates similar returns to scaling by prices lagged one year. These results suggest that to the extent dividend yield predicts returns, this on average effect is not due to excessively volatile prices within the past year.

In short, the article showed that,

  • Dividend yield serves as a good predictor of future returns, and yield strategies give substantial profits, approximately 1.5% per month following periods of heightened volatility.
  • In the cross-section, dividend yield provides more accurate predictions for returns in volatile firms.

This article provides additional theoretical support for dividend investing.

Let us know what you think in the comments below or in the discussion forum.

References

[1] Ahn, Seong Jin and Ham, Charles and Kaplan, Zachary and Milbourn, Todd T., Volatility, dividend yield and stock returns (2023). https://ssrn.com/abstract=4641642

Further questions

What's your question? Ask it in the discussion forum

Have an answer to the questions below? Post it here or in the forum

LATEST NEWSMy grandmothers had a 24-year age gap. The difference in our relationships taught me youth and health aren't the same.
My grandmothers had a 24-year age gap. The difference in our relationships taught me youth and health aren't the same.

My grandmothers had a 24-year age gap. Our relationships were different; I was closer with the older grandma, while the younger one seemed distant.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWSFlorida's Ron DeSantis is passing bills all over the place after his failed presidential campaign. They have a common theme.
Florida's Ron DeSantis is passing bills all over the place after his failed presidential campaign. They have a common theme.

Since his campaign ended, DeSantis has barred homeless people from sleeping in public and prohibited kids from social media, among other things.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWSProsecutors search Peruvian president's home in graft inquiry
Prosecutors search Peruvian president's home in graft inquiry
Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWSPeople taken hostage in Dutch night club, homes evacuated, police say
People taken hostage in Dutch night club, homes evacuated, police say
Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here
LATEST NEWS'Spring mania' impacts people with bipolar disorder and can be life-threatening. A therapist shared how she preps for the season every year.
'Spring mania' impacts people with bipolar disorder and can be life-threatening. A therapist shared how she preps for the season every year.

People with bipolar disorder are more sensitive to physical changes in the spring. This can trigger manic episodes.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news - click here

Leave a Reply