SUNScholar - Browsing by Author "Wesson, Nicolene"

Browsing by Author "Wesson, Nicolene"

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Changes in South African executive share-based remuneration
(AOSIS, 2018) Steenkamp, Gretha; Wesson, Nicolene
Orientation: Institutional theory proposes that companies respond to environmental factors (such as changes in accounting requirements and the economy) in order to gain or retain legitimacy. As such, environmental factors can affect executive remuneration paid by companies. Research purpose: The purpose was to determine whether the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 2 as well as the financial recession affected the characteristics of share-based remuneration paid to South African executives. Motivation for the study: Stakeholders should be aware of whether environmental factors influence business practice relating to share-based remuneration (especially in an emerging economy, such as South Africa, where international evidence might not be applicable). Research design/approach and method: Share-based remuneration details of the chief executive officers of 28 South African listed companies were obtained for the period 2002–2009 (these dates were chosen to include both the effective date of IFRS 2 and the financial recession). Data were analysed (using analysis of variance and generalised estimating equalisation techniques) to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in the share-based executive remuneration between the period before and after the effective date of IFRS 2, as well as before and during the financial recession. Main findings: Share options usage decreased after the effective date of IFRS 2, and even further during the recession. Share-appreciation rights were increasingly used after the effective date of IFRS 2 and seemed to have replaced share options subsequent to the implementation of IFRS 2. The use of share purchase plans decreased during the recession and was replaced by performance shares. Performance vesting conditions were more prevalent in share-based remuneration schemes in the post-IFRS 2 period. Practical/managerial implications: Shareholders and regulators should take cognisance of the fact that business practice in respect of share-based remuneration is affected by new accounting standards and the economy. Contribution/value-add: This study addressed the knowledge gap in the literature regarding the effect of IFRS 2 and recession on executive share-based remuneration in emerging economies, and specifically in South Africa.
An empirical model of choice between share purchase and dividends for companies in selected JSE listed sectors
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-04) Wesson, Nicolene; Willie, Hamman; Bruwer, B. W.; Smit, E. v. d. M.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Scieces. Graduate School of Business.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Share repurchases were allowed in South Africa as from 1 July 1999. The concept of repurchasing shares is therefore relatively new in this country, compared to many other countries (e.g. the United States of America and the United Kingdom), where it is an established practice. Considerable research in the field already exists, providing empirical evidence on the extent of share repurchase activities and current theoretical thinking on the motivations for share repurchases and the determinants affecting the choice of payout methods. In South Africa there are indications, as this study demonstrates, that research on payout methods and payout reform has become a matter of urgency. Share repurchase activity by JSE-listed companies is not comprehensively recorded by South African financial data sources. Prior research on South African share repurchases is limited, mainly owing to the fact that a comprehensive share repurchase database is not available. This study sets out to document the extent of share repurchases by companies in selected JSE-listed sectors (for reporting periods including 1 July 1999 to the 2009 year-ends of the companies) and to test whether empirical evidence and current theoretical thinking also applied in South Africa. The results of these tests were used to develop a model to ascertain what the significant determinants were when a JSE-listed company had to decide between repurchasing shares and paying special dividends. This study found that the South African regulatory environment pertaining to share repurchases differed from the regulatory environments of other countries. The main differences related to the share repurchase announcement structure (namely the JSE Listings Requirements that open market share repurchases need to be announced via SENS only once a 3% limit has been reached) and that subsidiaries are allowed to repurchase shares in the holding company (and have a tax benefit when compared to share repurchases made by the holding company itself). These differences affected the results of this study. On compiling a database on share repurchases by companies in selected JSE-listed sectors, it was found that the share repurchase announcements (made via SENS) could not be used as the main source to compile comprehensive share repurchase data (mainly owing to the 3% rule on open market share repurchases). Annual report disclosures were therefore scrutinised to obtain share repurchase data for this study. These disclosures were found to be applied inconsistently by companies (mainly because subsidiaries were allowed to repurchase shares in the holding company; International Financial Reporting Standards and the JSE Listings Requirements did not adequately cater for the differing South African regulatory environment in their disclosure stipulations; and compliance to the disclosure requirements were not adequately monitored). Consequently, an extensive process of verification was applied in order to compile a comprehensive and reliable share repurchase database for this study. When testing whether empirical evidence and current theoretical thinking on share repurchases also applied in South Africa, it was found that the unique South African regulatory environment led to certain aspects of the South African share repurchase experience not mirroring the global precedent. The main differences between the South African and global share repurchase evidence which emerged from the present study are that the open market share repurchase type is not the outright favoured repurchase type (as is the case globally); that subsidiaries repurchasing shares in the holding company are the favoured South African share repurchasing entity (as opposed to subsidiaries not being allowed to repurchase shares in most other countries); and that share repurchases announced via SENS do not represent comprehensive share repurchase data (as opposed to global security exchanges requiring share repurchase announcements on a regular and accurate actual-time basis). When testing the current theoretical thinking on the information-signalling motivation for share repurchases, it was found that the motivation for South African open market and pro rata share repurchases mirrored the current theoretical thinking. Open market share repurchases were found to be motivated by the information-signalling hypothesis, while the short-term abnormal returns of pro rata offers were offset by the negative abnormal returns over the long term. A share repurchase type unique to the South African share repurchase environment (namely the repurchase of treasury shares by the holding company) was found not to be motivated by the information-signalling hypothesis. This study also found that companies repurchasing shares were generally classified as value companies (which tend to be undervalued) prior to the repurchase transaction which mirrored the current theoretical thinking. In developing a model of choice to determine what the main determinants were when a company had to decide between open market share repurchases and special dividends, this study found that some of the South African determinants mirrored the current theoretical thinking, but also identified determinants which were not identified as significant determinants in global research. This study found that ownership structure, size of the distribution and level of company undervaluation were the significant factors which affected a company’s choice of payout method. It was found that smaller companies, with fewer shareholders and more public investors favoured open market share repurchases over special dividends. Open market share repurchases were found to be selected for smaller distributions when compared to special dividends. Companies paying special dividends were found to exhibit lower degrees of undervaluation when compared to companies which repurchased shares in the open market. This study found that share repurchases became a popular means of distributing excess cash as from 2005. A total amount of about R384 billion was spent on share repurchases during the reporting periods including 1 July 1999 to the 2009 year-ends of the companies included in the population of this study. Share repurchases did not exceed dividend payments over the target period and represented about 36 per cent of total payouts. In 2009, the final year of the study, share repurchases represented about 44 per cent of total payouts. The results of this study showed that investors would benefit over the long term when investing in companies which repurchased shares in the open market. It was also found that there were certain characteristics which were evident in companies when choosing open market share repurchases rather than special dividend payments. This study concluded that the South African regulatory environment possesses many characteristics of a developing economy’s financial systems. Suggestions are given on how to improve and better align the South African repurchasing environment to those of developed economies.
Factors influencing dividend payout decisions : evidence from South Africa
(AOSIS, 2019) Nyere, Lovemore; Wesson, Nicolene
Background: Dividend payout is one of the most debated contemporary corporate finance issues. No universal theoretical model describes the factors that corporate managers consider in dividend payout decisions. This study extends previous South African empirical research on dividend payout trends and motivations for Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed industrial companies over the period 1999–2014. The study period coincides with the introduction of share repurchases as an alternative distribution method, covers multiple dividend distribution regulatory amendments and overlaps the global financial crisis of 2008. Objectives: The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the global financial crisis of 2008 affected dividend payouts and to identify factors that influenced dividend payout decisions of JSE-listed industrial companies over the period 1999–2014. Method: Descriptive statistics and a fixed-effects panel regression analysis were applied to dividend data extracted from published annual reports of JSE-listed industrial companies over the period 1999–2014. Results: Dividend distributions of JSE-listed industrial companies increased over the study period in contrast to declining global dividend distribution trends. A significant increase in dividend payout was found when comparing pre- and post-recession periods, in line with the positive impact of dividend distribution regulatory reforms. Company size (+), profitability (+), sales growth (−) and free cash flow (−) were identified as significant factors that influence dividend distributions of JSE-listed industrial companies. Conclusion: The results offer support for the company life cycle hypothesis, the taxes and clientele hypothesis and corporate managers’ preference for stable dividend policies.
The impact of South African real estate investment trust legislation on firm growth and firm value
(AOSIS, 2019) Carstens, Riette; Wesson, Nicolene
Background: Through the introduction of the South African real estate investment trust (SA REIT) structure, listed property investment firms are required to conform to international REIT standards, thereby making REITs more attractive to investors. Despite the exponential growth of the SA REIT industry over the past decade, SA REIT legislation – effective from 2013 – has imposed regulations with regard to financial leverage and profit retention, which may affect these firms’ sustainable growth rate and firm value. Aim: By deconstructing the sustainable growth rate, we investigated the potential impact of SA REIT legislation on growth rate components and considered the impact of each growth component on firm value. Setting: The introduction of SA REIT legislation provides an opportunity to investigate how regulation has affected REIT growth and value. Methods: We investigated changes in the respective sustainable growth rate components using a mixed model analysis of variance. Additionally, we employed a panel regression to assess the impact of each component on firm value (proxied by Tobin Q). Results: We found empirical evidence of decreased leverage and profit retention, as well as increased profit margins, in the REIT period, which may be indicative of firms’ reaction to regulation. In addition, we found that profit retention had a significant positive impact on firm value, while leverage showed a significant negative effect on firm value post-legislation. Conclusion: This study confirmed a significant change in growth components, with higher average profitability and sustainable growth in the REIT period, suggesting that the REIT industry responded positively to the REIT regime introduction.
Die invloed van Internet op die toepaslikheid van die bronreels in terme van die Inkomstebelastingwet, No. 58 van 1962
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1999-12) Wesson, Nicolene; Matthee, J. A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic & Management Sciences. Dept. of Economics.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: lt is internationally accepted that Internet is the trade route of the future. Although Internet trading is still in its infancy the effect of Internet on taxation needs to be adressed. Internet defies geographic borders and leads to the questioning of the principles underlying income tax. Income tax principles are traditionally based on the existence of some form of physical presence (either residency, source of income or that of a permanent establishment) in a jurisdiction before tax can be levied. The fact that Internet can provide substantial economic activity in a jurisdiction without any physical presence, requires interpretation of and/or amendments to the traditional income tax principles. The South African income tax principles are based on the source of income. In this study the impact of Internet on the applicability of the traditional source rules, in terms of the South African Income Tax Act, no. 58 of 1962, was investigated. The study first outlines the principles and methodology laid down by South African courts in determining the source of income. These principles and methodology are then tested in an Internet environment. lt is concluded that Internet requires a reinterpretation of certain of the traditional principles, i.e.: • The fact that a dominant source rule is applied. • The classification of products and services with a digitalised content within the existing principles. • The finding of a physical location when transactions are concluded in cyberspace. • The applicability of certain deemed source rules, i.e. section 9(1 )(a), 9(1)(d), 9(1)(dbis) and certain aspects of section 9(1)(b), in an Internet environment. In obtaining a sollution for South Africa the international initiatives regarding Internet and taxation, under the guidance of the Committee on Fiscal Affairs of the Organisation for Enonomic Co-operation and Development (OECD), were taken into account. The first alternative to the traditional South African source rules that was investigated was the permanent establishment principle, as recommended by the Katz Commission in their Fifth Interim Report. Other alternatives to the permanent establishment principle were also investigated, i.e. the residence principle, formal requirements and an Internet tax. The interim solution for South Africa seems to be the acceptance of the permanent establishment principle. This principle needs interpretation and/or amendment due to the effect of Internet. In this study amendments to the permanent establishment principle are suggested in order to provide the necessary clarity in the Internet environment. A closing remark is made that Internet might well change income tax as we know it today. Internet has the ability to simplify tax systems. None of the income tax alternatives provide simple tax solutions. The tax of the future seems to be some form of indirect tax. Internet is an international medium and addresses international tax issues. South Africa will, by accepting the permanent establishment principle, be in a position to join the co-ordinated efforts towards solving the Internet related tax problems while aiming to protect our tax base.
The relationship between investor tax preferences and the payout methods of JSE listed companies
(AOSIS, 2022-08) Nel, Rudie; Wesson, Nicolene; Steenkamp, Lee-Ann
Background: Investor tax preference parameters have been included as an explanatory variable for changes in payout methods in developed countries. There is, however, a lack of research in this area in developing countries. Tax reform in South Africa – comprising a change in the tax regime and successive increases in tax rates – offers a unique setting to examine investor tax preference parameters as a contribution to literature. Aim: This study investigated the relationship between investor tax preference parameters (of individuals, corporates, and institutions) and payout methods (namely dividends, capital distributions, additional shares, and share repurchases). Setting: The study used data collected in respect of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa for the financial reporting periods ranging from 2012 to 2019. Method: A regression analysis of panel data was employed to relate the changes in payout methods to changes in profits, investor tax preference parameters, the lagged levels of variables, and ownership concentration dummy variables. Findings: The empirical evidence of this study revealed that investor tax preferences affected dividends as a payout method. This accordingly suggests that the tax differential of dividends and capital gains affect the supply of dividends in South Africa. Conclusion: The study contributes empirical evidence in support of the taxes and tax clienteles theory from a developing country perspective. This could suggest that tax reform in a developing country, in this case, South Africa, has a more pronounced effect on payout methods than in developed countries.
Will mandatory audit firm rotation reduce audit market concentration in South Africa?
(AOSIS (Pty) Ltd., 2021-07-23) Wesson, Nicolene
Purpose: Deconcentrating the audit market was one of the stated objectives of the proposed mandatory audit firm rotation (MAFR) ruling in South Africa. With MAFR being a contentious topic, this study aimed to explore the possible effect of MAFR on audit market concentration in South Africa in anticipation of the implementation thereof in 2023. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 415 South African listed companies was studied for the period 2010–2018. Data were mainly captured from annual reports. Descriptive statistics and significance testing were performed on calculated concentration ratios and identified audit firm rotations. Findings/results: South African audit market concentration mirrored empirical evidence from most developed countries – with Big 4 audit firms dominating the audit market, whilst a monopoly within the Big 4 audit firm grouping was also evident. Based on observed audit firm concentration and audit firm rotation behaviour, it was anticipated that MAFR might further increase audit market concentration. A concerning result was the sheer scale of audit firm rotations to be carried out in anticipation of MAFR in 2023. Practical implications: This study identified the impairment of audit quality and increased costs as possible unintended consequences of MAFR in South Africa. Originality/value: This study contributed to the limited body of knowledge on the possible effect of MAFR in South Africa. This study proposed alternatives to MAFR and recommended areas for future research to support evidence-based decisions on remedies to address audit quality and audit market concentration in South Africa.

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