In 1996, Kodak paid a cash dividend of $1.60 a share. At year-end 1996, Kodak shares were trading at about $80 each share. In 1997 and 2001, Kodak paid $1.76, & in 2002 increased its dividend to $1.80. Yet, despite the stable dividend payout, the price of Kodak stock steadily fell, reaching $27 in 2003. At that time, the firm announced its intention to reduce its dividend to about $.50 per share in order to invest $3 billion in digital technology purchases. Investors reacted to the announcement by bidding down Kodak shares by 14 percent. On October 21, 2003, The Wall Street Journal reported that some of Kodak's larger shareholders attempted to persuade Kodak executives to abandon their plan. Discuss this issue.