The Effect of Dividend Policy on Earnings Quality in The Companies listed in Iraq Stock Exchange

Abstract

The dividends is one of difficult and important decisions taken by the administration in the economic units, because this decision has a direct impact on the investor and economic unit, so the main objective of any investor is achieve earnings, as well as information borne by dividends about the earnings quality of the economic unit and the level and efficiency of management to achieving earnings.

The research aims at explaining the effect of the dividends policy on the earnings quality in the companies listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange. The Miller model was used to measure the earnings quality in the companies listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange by using discretionary accruals short-term, the impact of the dividend policy on the earnings quality in the joint stock companies listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange was measured by organizing a questionnaire was distributed to a sample of employees in the companies. The effect of the variables was shown through the use of statistical models in the form of the smallest squares and linear regression model. After testing the hypotheses, a set of conclusions was reached, was the existence of an acceptable level of earnings quality in the financial statements issued by the companies listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange, as well as a significant relationship between dividends policy and earnings quality in the companies listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange, A number of recommendations were made the need to urge the joint stock companies listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange to follow a of fixed dividends policy, and maintain stable levels of dividends on a regular basis to avoid a negative impact on stock prices in the financial market, as well as the need for the Iraq Stock Exchange to increase the awareness of companies listed in the market the concept of earnings quality, as this concept of special economic benefits to the company itself and the general return to the market as a whole.