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What do market participants learn from share repurchases? Evidence from a return decomposition

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  • Jakob, Sascha
  • Valta, Philip

Abstract

This paper analyzes cash flow and cost of capital dynamics around share repurchase announcements of publicly traded US firms by decomposing stock returns into news related to cash flows and discount rates. After repurchase announcements, the cost of capital decreases significantly, while cash flows do not change. The decrease in the cost of capital is largest for firms that appear underpriced. These firms also experience the highest long-term returns after repurchase announcements. The findings suggest that market participants learn about a temporary overestimation of the cost of capital when firms announce share repurchases.

Suggested Citation

  • Jakob, Sascha & Valta, Philip, 2023. "What do market participants learn from share repurchases? Evidence from a return decomposition," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:82:y:2023:i:c:s0929119923001001
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2023.102451
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Salikhova, Tatiana & Ugarov, Alexander & Orlova, Svetlana, 2024. "Dividend smoothing and financial transparency," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PA).
    5. Naresh Gopal & Ravi S. Mateti & Duong Nguyen & Gopala Vasudevan, 2024. "Stock buybacks and growth opportunities," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 63(4), pages 1413-1429, November.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy

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