THE IMPACT OF NOT ACKNOWLEDGING INFLATION IN FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WHEN DISTRIBUTING DIVIDENDS

Abstract

The article aims at analyzing the impact of the lack of acknowledgement of the inflation in Financial Statements when distributing dividends in Brazilian companies. The research methodology is comprised by an exploratory study made through the analysis of the 2004 Financial Statements of Companhia Vale do Rio Doce and SABESP, which presented them updated according to inflation. The results of the research demonstrate the influence of inflation regarding income may be significant or not in these companies, depending on the patrimonial structure and age of companies’ assets. However, when this same influence of the Net Equity is analyzed, the variation regarding the company’s balance sheet is significant. Thus, it can be concluded that the lack of acknowledgement of the inflation in Financial Statements may be affecting the distribution of dividends by companies. They may be paying lower dividends than those due or even not paying dividends shareholders have the right to. Although the Brazilian legislation abolished any form of monetary update in Financial Statements, the importance of its use can be noted, even when made as complementary information.