In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: 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.

Problem: Article: Sweating is a completely normal process and an important way your body maintains a consistent temperature.  However, if you find that you sweat much more often than seems appropriate, you may have hyperhidrosis.  Hyperhidrosis causes sweating in the absence of physical activity or stress. Sweating when your body is not actively trying to regulate your body temperature is the number one symptom of hyperhidrosis. A common sign that a person suffers from hyperhidrosis is when excessive sweating begins to cause problems in your everyday life.  Many people with hyperhidrosis struggle with the issue on a daily basis.  If you find yourself needing to change your clothes throughout the day in order to hide your excessive sweating, you may suffer from hyperhidrosis. Having to do things like stuffing napkins under your arms or excusing yourself to the bathroom to wipe off excess sweat in comfortable environments is not common and may be a sign of hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is excess sweating that exists independently from any other medical condition.  If your body simply sweats to excess, you likely have primary hyperhidrosis.  Secondary hyperhidrosis occurs when your body is sweating excessively as a result of, or as a symptom of, another medical condition.  Primary hyperhidrosis often affects certain areas of the body that are referred to as “focal points” like armpits or hands. Secondary hyperhidrosis is often more generalized.  A common example of secondary hyperhidrosis is excessive night sweating from your entire body. It is important to determine if you are suffering from primary or secondary hyperhidrosis in order to effectively treat the condition.  You should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your circumstances, but there are some questions you can ask yourself to help you identify which form of hyperhidrosis you seem to be suffering.  If you meet any two of the following criteria, you likely have primary hyperhidrosis.  If not, your sweating issues are likely secondary in nature.  Your sweating is fairly symmetrical (you sweat the same from each side of your body). You experience at least one episode of excessive sweating per week. Your excess sweating impairs your regular activities. Your issues with excess sweating began before the age of 25. Primary hyperhidrosis runs in your family. You do not have excessive sweat issues when you are sleeping. If you are taking an inventory of your excessive sweating symptoms and you notice some common warning signs of a significant medical issue, seek medical attention as quickly as you can.  Seek medical attention if you have a fever that reaches 104 °F (40 °C) or higher. If you experience shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or chest pain, seek treatment immediately.
Summary:
Look for abnormal sweating. Take note if your sweating affects you socially. Identify primary and secondary hyperhidrosis. Determine which form of hyperhidrosis you have. Seek immediate medical attention if necessary.