The Effect of Dividends on Investment Decisions in Light of the Quality of Financial Reports (Applied Study on the Saudi Financial Market)

This study aimed to identify the impact of dividends on investment decisions in Saudi companies, and to examine the impact of the interaction between the dividends and the quality of financial reporting in the investment decisions for Saudi firms. The study also aimed to determine the effect of dividends on investment decisions according to the sectors listed on the Saudi stock exchange. For sample of 141 listed companies on the Saudi Stock Exchange, spread over 15 sectors has been selected according to set of specifies for the period from 2011 to 2015. The study is based on descriptive and analytical approach to answer the questions of the study and reach their goals, and to test hypotheses of the study were used by statistical analysis (SPSS). The study found that the dividends having effect on investment decisions in Saudi corporations, the results also showed that the quality of financial reporting play a role mitigate the negative impact of dividends on investment decisions in Saudi corporations. In addition the results also showed that the effect of dividends on the investment decision in Saudi corporations varies depending on the difference of various segments on Saudi Stock exchange. Based on the results of this study, several recommendations propose the most important need for quality financial reporting care because of its role in mitigating negative impact of dividends on investment decisions for Saudi firms contribute.