This article rightfully brings attention to the high possibility that tax rates on dividends will be increasing next year.  With bond yields so low for highly rated companies it does make some sense to issue debt and to pay it out to shareholders, and then over the next years pay back the loans by offering a reduced dividend.  This saves shareholders money by reducing the amount overall that they have pay Uncle Sam.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303684004577510942691487480.html?mod=markets_newsreel

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