Dividend and Income Related - USA S&P 500 Data (2008-2018)

The data set has been created to compare the growth controlled discounted value of dividend payouts of firms across time. The opportunity cost is calculated by measuring the 3 year percentage change in S&P 500 index value. The dividend payouts are calculated preferably as cash dividends paid (including taxes) divided by net income. The growth rate in income is calculated by measuring 3 year change in net income controlling for extraordinary expenses