But, if you've been reading this blog for a
few years, have gotten yourself out
of debt, and actually have a nice
buffer of cash, well maybe you're finally one
of the wealthy ones, but how can you know for sure?
While the company's payout ratios have been climbing in the past
few years, a level near 50 % or less in both earnings and free cash flow (where the ratios have stabilized) gives the company plenty
of safety
buffer should unexpected cost overruns result in a poor earnings
year.