The United States Has Net Exports of -$350 Billion and the Private

question 5

Essay

The United States has net exports of -$350 billion and the private sector balance is -$400 billion. What is the government sector balance?

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Definitions:

Dividend Policy

A company's approach to distributing profits back to its shareholders, whether through cash dividends or share repurchases.

Dividend Irrelevance Theory

A theory suggesting that the dividend policy of a company is irrelevant to its value or the cost of capital and investment decisions.

"Bird in the Hand" Theory

The investment theory suggesting that investors prefer the certainty of dividend payments over potential capital gains because of the perceived lower risk.

Clientele Effect

The theory that firms attract equity investors at least in part because of their dividend-paying policies. The firm has a “clientele” of stockholders whose need for current or deferred income matches the firm’s dividend practices. The implication is that it isn’t a good idea to change dividend policies because such a change is bound to displease most stockholders.