Firms can change dividends at any time, and in practice they vary the sizes of their dividends very frequently. True False The Record Date falls before the Ex-Dividend Date. True False Which of the following would be most likely to lead to a decrease in a firm's dividend payout ratio? Its earnings become more stable. a. Its R&D efforts pay off, and it now has more high-return investment opportunities. Oc. Its stock price has increased over the last year by a greater percentage than the increase in the broad stock market averages. Od. Its accounts receivable decrease due to a change in its credit policy. Oe. Its access to the capital markets increases