Company XYZ has just announced a dividend payment of $1 per share, and investors are curious about how this decision will impact key financial ratios. One of the most significant concerns is the effect on the company's earnings per share (EPS) and its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio. As a finance professional reviewing this announcement, it is important to understand the implications of dividends on these financial metrics.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the impact of paying dividends on a company's financial ratios?