Which term refers to a payment made to shareholders?

The term that refers to a payment made to shareholders is a dividend. Dividends are typically distributed from a company’s profits as a way to return capital to its shareholders, rewarding them for their investment in the company. When a company earns a profit, it has the option to reinvest that profit into the business for growth or distribute it to shareholders in the form of dividends. This payment is an important aspect of shareholder returns and can be a critical factor for investors assessing the attractiveness of a stock.

In contrast, an expense refers to the costs incurred in the process of generating revenue, which affects net income but does not involve direct payments to shareholders. A liability represents obligations that a company owes to outside parties, such as loans or accounts payable, and is not related to profits being shared with shareholders. An asset refers to resources owned by the company that have economic value, but like liabilities, it does not involve direct payments to shareholders. Thus, the nature and function of dividends distinctly categorize them as payments specifically made to shareholders.