Lintner's Model A model stating that dividend policy has two parameters: (1) the target payout ratio and (2) the speed at which current dividends adjust to the target. Investopedia Says: In 1956 John Lintner developed this theory based on two important things that he observed about dividend policy:
1) Companies tend to set long-run target dividends-to-earnings ratios according to the amount of positive net-present-value (NPV) projects they have available.
2) Earnings increases are not always sustainable. As a result, dividend policy is not changed until managers can see that new earnings levels are sustainable. Related Terms: Dividend Dividend Payout Ratio Dividend Policy Earnings Earnings Estimate Earnings Per Share - EPS Earnings Surprise Financial Modeling Net Present Value - NPV |