ABSTRACT
The study examines the impact of financial leverage and dividend policy on share value of quoted oil and gas companies in Nigeria. A total of sample of eight oil and gas companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange were studied, and panel data was obtained from their annual reports and accounts and price list from the Nigerian Stock Exchange for a period of 10 years (2006-2015). The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, that is, panel regression technique.
The study finds that the financial leverage measures; total debt to total capital ratio and interest coverage ratio have significant positive impact on share value of the quoted oil and gas companies in Nigeria. Similarly, it was found that the share value of the companies was positively and significantly driven by the dividend policy indicator; retained earnings ratio. However, the second dividend policy measure; dividend coverage ratio has a positive but insignificant impact on the share value of the quoted oil and gas companies in Nigeria.
The study recommends that the management of the quoted oil and gas companies in Nigeria should explore the use of more debt capital in financing their investment opportunities in order to boost their share value in the capital market. It is also recommended that the management of the companies should retain a larger proportion of the company's earnings for growth and ensure strict utilization of retained earnings on profitable investments and viable projects that will enhance the company's financial health and consequently boost the share value of the company in the stock market
