The announcement of a dividend payout typically has a neutral to slightly positive impact on a stock's price in the short term. However, the stock is expected to open lower on the ex-dividend date to reflect the dividend payout, which is a standard practice. The importance is rated high due to the direct financial benefit to shareholders, but the score remains neutral because the price adjustment on the ex-dividend date is a predictable, mechanical response rather than an indicator of the company's fundamental value.