Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper provides novel empirical evidence that cash‐rich firms have higher equity payouts and higher stock prices in response to expansionary monetary policy surprises. Stock prices rise despite weak cash‐flow, investment, and credit responses to monetary policy. I rationalize the empirical evidence in a heterogeneous‐firm New Keynesian model where firms finance investment with cash and equity issuance. Monetary easing weakens precautionary cash demand, leading cash‐rich firms to optimally allocate excess funds to shareholders. Since payouts are procyclical, cash‐rich firms earn higher returns in expansionary periods. My findings highlight a payout channel through which monetary policy impacts asset prices.