Summarize the following:
Strictly speaking, the dividend payout ratio accounts only for regular dividends paid to investors. However, sometimes, companies offer one-time dividend payments to all (or only some) of their investors. For the most accurate payout ratio values, these "special" dividends should not be included in dividend payout ratio calculations. Thus, the modified formula for calculating dividend payout ratios during periods that include special dividends is (Total dividends - Special dividends)/Net income. For example, if a company pays regular quarterly dividends totaling $1,000,000 over a year but also paid out one special $400,000 dividend to its investors after a financial windfall, we would ignore this special dividend in our payout ratio calculation. Assuming a net income of $3,000,000, the dividend payout ratio for this company is (1,400,000 - 400,000)/3,000,000 = 0.334 (or 33.4%). One way that people with money that they want to invest compare different investment opportunities is by looking at the history of  dividend payout ratios that each opportunity has had. Investors generally consider the size of the ratio (in other words, whether the company pays a lot or a little of its earnings back to investors) as well as its stability (in other words, how widely the ratio varies from one year to the next). Different dividend payout ratios appeal to investors with different objectives. In general, both very low and very high payout ratios (as well as those that vary greatly or decrease over time) signal risky investments. As suggested above, there are reasons why both high and low payout ratios might be appealing to an investor. For someone who's looking for a secure investment that's likely to provide a steady income, high payout ratios can signal that a company has grown to the point that it doesn't need to invest heavily in itself, making for a safe investment. On the other hand, for someone who's looking to seize a lucrative opportunity in the hopes of making big earnings in the long run, low payout ratios can signal that a company is investing heavily in its future. If the company ends up becoming successful, this sort of investment will prove to be very lucrative. This can be risky, however, as the company's long-term potential is still unknown. A company that pays out 100% or more of its earnings as dividends might seem like a good investment, but, in fact, this may be a sign that a company's financial health is unstable. A payout ratio of 100% or greater means that a company is paying out more money to its investors than it is earning. In other words, it's losing money by paying its investors. Because this practice is often unsustainable, this can be a sign that a significant reduction in the payout ratio is coming. There are exceptions to this trend. Established companies with high potential for future growth can sometimes get away with offering payout ratios over 100%. For instance, in 2011 AT&T paid about $1.75 in dividends per share and only earned about $0.77 per share. That was a payout ratio of over 200%. However, because the company's estimated earnings per share in 2012 and 2013 were both well over $2 per share, the short-term inability to sustain its dividend payouts did not impact the company's long-term financial outlook.

summary: Account for special, one-time dividends. Use dividend payout ratios to compare investments. Pick high ratios for steady income and low ones for growth potential. Beware very high dividend payout ratios.


Summarize the following:
Your teacher may want to assess your ability to pull in good sources and format them correctly. It's important to write your bibliography according to the instructions outlined by your teacher. Don't neglect this important step, since many teachers deduct points when students forget to include their source material. If your teacher told you a certain font size and type to use, be sure to use it. Most reports are typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt font, and double spaced. The title of the report should be centered at the top of the page. Don't forget to include your name.  Don't attempt to turn in a report formatted in extra large font to make it look longer. Teachers can see right through this tactic. If your teacher requested a handwritten report, be sure to write neatly and legibly. No matter how well-written your report is, it won't seem polished unless you make sure it is free of errors. Check for spelling errors, grammatical errors, and formatting errors. You may want to ask a family member or friend to proofread your report, too, since it can be hard to catch your own mistakes.

summary: Add the bibliography. Format your report according to instructions. Proofread your work.


Summarize the following:
It can thicken up as it sets, so you may need to moisten the mixture. Slowly add more water or your chosen liquid until the henna is back to a smooth, mud-like consistency. Henna will stain anything that it comes into contact with, including your skin, so it’s important to make sure you’re covered. Applying petroleum jelly or another thick cream or balm along your hairline, ears, and necks will prevent the henna from staining your skin. Make sure to wear rubber, latex, or some other type of protective gloves while you’re applying the mixture to your hair.  Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained when you apply the henna because drips or spills may happen, and you won’t be able to get the color out of your clothing. It’s a good idea to apply your henna in the shower or bathtub, so you don’t have worry about getting it on your furniture, carpeting, or other surfaces. If you do get henna on your skin, wipe it away immediately. The longer that it sits on your skin, the worse the stain will be. It can take several days for a henna to fade from the skin. Henna is thicker than other types of hair dye, so it can be difficult to ensure that you spread it all over your head. Working with individual sections of hair makes it easier to saturate all of it. Gather all of your hair and clip it up, leaving only a small section, approximately 1-inch wide, to start with. You want to really saturate the hair with the henna mixture, so don’t be afraid of applying too much. Take your time to ensure that you cover every strand with the henna too.  Do your best to avoid getting henna on the sections that you’re not working on at the moment. Henna can tangle your hair very easily, which may make it harder to work with the other sections later. You can use a piping bag or squeeze bottle to apply the henna if you're having trouble controlling where it goes, but it's usually easier to use your fingers so you can really work it into your hair.  For total coverage, apply the henna all the way up to your scalp. You may notice some slight staining, but it typically fades with a couple of hair washes.  Because the thickness of henna can make it difficult to apply, you may want to ask a friend to help you color your hair, especially if you have long or extremely thick hair. Henna is more effective when it’s kept warm, so covering the mixture as it sits on your head helps your red color turn out more vibrant. Check the henna package instructions to see how long you should leave it on your hair. It can take anywhere from one to six hours, but the longer that you leave it on, the deeper your red will be.  Letting your henna sit on your hair for three to four hours will usually give you a nice, rich red color. If your natural color is dark, you may want to leave the henna on for six hours to ensure that you get a noticeable red hue.
summary: Check your henna mixture before application. Protect yourself from stains. Divide your hair into sections. Apply the henna to each section of your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic cap or wrap.