The effect of corporate governance and growth opportunities on dividend payout; does cross-listing matter?

Abstract: Using a sample of 434 firms listed on U.S. capital markets, including Over-the-counter, and 356 domestically listed firms from 47 countries during 2010 to 2015, this research confirms corporate governance’s positive effect, as well as growth opportunities’ negative effect on firm’s dividend payout. Then, based on the proved relationship above, this research also finds support that cross-listing and Over-the-counter both strengthen the positive relationship between growth opportunities and dividend payout. Meanwhile, although cross-listed and Over-the-counter firms do have stronger corporate governance, no evidence is observed for their strengthening the negative effect of corporate governance on dividend payout.