Step 1: Understanding Dividend Decisions
Dividend decisions depend on various factors, including company earnings, financial stability, and long-term growth prospects.
Step 2: Identifying the Relevant Factor
- The Finance Manager decided against increasing dividends because the higher earnings were temporary.
- Stability of dividends means that companies prefer maintaining a consistent dividend policy rather than increasing dividends due to temporary earnings.
Conclusion: The correct answer is (mathbf{(D)}), as the company prioritized stable dividend payouts over short-term profits.