If the company nears the zone of insolvency, this duty transfers to the creditors from the shareholders and this would mean no dividend. |
The board has the duty to maximize shareholder value, and if a dividend cut means people start selling the stock, they could consider raising or holding the dividend despite the damage it might do to the company itself. |
Until it has neared insolvency, the board could definitely consider what would happen in terms of a spiral effect if they lowered the dividend. |