A dividend increase is indicative of confidence, while a dividend cut generally indicates that a company has encountered major difficulties.

This rebasing is appropriate for SES and will allow a strengthening of the balance sheet whilst supporting growth opportunities and enabling a progressive dividend in the future.

Despite the dividend cut, Wells Fargo was actually one of the best positioned banks going into the financial crisis.

Analysts read this as a sign that GE is likely to reduce its dividend, which is 48 cents a share.

Analysts read this as a sign that GE is likely to reduce its dividend, which is 48 cents a share.

A dividend cut is quite rare as it sends a very negative signal to investors, hence the danger of such announcements.

But a dividend decrease would represent an about-face for Citi, which said in a November 4 statement it had "no plans to reduce its current dividend level.

But a dividend decrease would represent an about-face for Citi, which said in a November 4 statement it had "no plans to reduce its current dividend level.

GE, the world’s largest maker of gas turbines, said last month it would pare the quarterly dividend and sell some businesses.