When analyzing the trend in a company's dividend payout compared to its free cash flow over the past decade, it's essential to consider the financial health and sustainability of the dividend payments. Dividend payout ratio is a key metric that indicates the proportion of earnings paid out as dividends to shareholders. It is calculated by dividing the total dividends by the net income. On the other hand, free cash flow represents the cash a company generates after accounting for capital expenditures. Comparing the trend in dividend payout to free cash flow provides valuable insights into the company's ability to sustain and potentially grow its dividend payments. A consistent or increasing dividend payout ratio relative to free cash flow may indicate that the company is effectively generating enough cash to support its dividend payments. Conversely, a declining trend in the dividend payout ratio compared to free cash flow could raise concerns about the sustainability of the dividend payments. It's important to delve into the company's financial reports and analyze the historical data to observe the trend in dividend payout and free cash flow over the past decade. By examining annual reports, cash flow statements, and dividend history, investors and analysts can gain a comprehensive understanding of how the company's dividend payout has evolved in relation to its free cash flow. Additionally, considering the company's future outlook, capital allocation strategies, and industry dynamics can further enhance the analysis of the dividend payout trend in comparison to free cash flow.