Comparing wal-mart to Target
a. Looking at the last 3 years, what were the annual dividends paid to shareholders for common stock? For preferred stock?
b. Determine the last dividend that was paid. What was the ex-dividend date? The stockholder of record date? The actual payment date?
Review the payout ratio over a 3-year time period. What is the payment pattern? What does this tell you about the firm in the life-cycle.