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Why Do Firms Issue Equity after Splitting Stocks?

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  • Ranjan D'Mello
  • Oranee Tawatnuntachai
  • Devrim Yaman

Abstract

This paper examines the motivations of firms that conduct seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) after splitting stocks. We find no difference in equity announcement and issue period returns between these firms and other equity‐issuing firms, suggesting that firms do not split stocks to reveal information and reduce adverse selection costs at the subsequent SEO. However, because investors react positively to split announcements, firms that issue equity after splitting stocks sell new shares at a higher price and raise more funds. We also find that firms split stocks to make the subsequent SEO more marketable to individual investors who are attracted to low‐priced shares.

Suggested Citation

  • Ranjan D'Mello & Oranee Tawatnuntachai & Devrim Yaman, 2003. "Why Do Firms Issue Equity after Splitting Stocks?," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 38(3), pages 323-350, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:finrev:v:38:y:2003:i:3:p:323-350
    DOI: 10.1111/1540-6288.00049
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    2. Hu, May & Chao, Chi-Chur & Malone, Chris & Young, Martin, 2017. "Real determinants of stock split announcements," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 574-598.
    3. Tadeusz Dudycz & Bogumiła Brycz, 2021. "Why the Par Value of Share Matters to Investors," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, March.
    4. Altanlar, Ali & Amini, Shima & Holmes, Phil & Eshraghi, Arman, 2023. "Opportunism, overconfidence and irrationality: A puzzling triad," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    5. Kuo, Nan-Ting & Lee, Cheng-Few, 2013. "Effects of dividend tax and signaling on firm valuation: Evidence from taxable stock dividend announcements," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 157-180.
    6. Chitru S. Fernando & Vladimir A. Gatchev & Paul A. Spindt, 2013. "IPO offer price selection, institutional subscription, and the value of the firm: theory and evidence," Chapters, in: Mario Levis & Silvio Vismara (ed.), Handbook of Research on IPOs, chapter 5, pages 101-123, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    7. Podgórski Błażej & Pasierbek Krzysztof, 2020. "The “Magic Action” of Stock Splits: Evidence from the Warsaw Stock Exchange 2003–2017," Journal of Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, Sciendo, vol. 28(1), pages 66-80, March.

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