Step 1: Concept
Dividend Decision and Growth Opportunities.
Step 2: Meaning
A company's dividend distribution policy is heavily influenced by its future investment and expansion plans.
Step 3: Analysis
• Companies with high growth potential require substantial and continuous funds for expansion, research, and launching new projects.
• Retained earnings (ploughing back of profits) are considered the cheapest and most accessible source of internal financing, as they do not involve explicit costs like interest.
• Consequently, growth-oriented companies deliberately declare lower dividends to retain a larger portion of their earnings for reinvestment.
• Conversely, mature or non-growth companies tend to declare higher dividends as they lack immediate, highly profitable investment avenues for those funds.
Step 4: Conclusion
The assertion that growth companies pay more dividends is incorrect, but the reason accurately explains their financial behavior.
Final Answer: (A)