Why are dividends declared at the board’s discretion unless insolvency is a concern?

Dividends are declared at the board's discretion primarily to allow for financial flexibility for the corporation. This means that the board of directors can evaluate the financial health and operational needs of the corporation before deciding whether to distribute profits to shareholders. The decision to declare dividends involves assessing current earnings, future investment opportunities, and the need for cash reserves, which ensures that the company maintains sufficient liquidity to support ongoing business needs and growth strategies.

Additionally, in situations where the corporation may be facing insolvency or financial distress, the board is more cautious in making dividend declarations to protect the interests of creditors and the overall financial stability of the corporation. The flexibility allows the board to prioritize the corporation’s long-term viability over immediate profit sharing with shareholders.

Other considerations, such as shareholder approval or regulatory restrictions, may play a role in the broader context of corporate governance, but they do not fundamentally affect the primary reasoning behind the board's discretion in declaring dividends.