DEBT REFUNDING AND SHAREHOLDER WEALTH: THE PRICE EFFECTS OF DEBT‐FOR‐DEBT EXCHANGE OFFER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Abstract

This study examines the impact of debt refunding on common stock prices for a sample of 48 exchange offers announced from 1970 through 1981. Exchange offer announcements do not have a significant impact on average common stock returns but appear to produce idiosyncratic share price effects. Refunding‐induced price effects were unrelated to several exchange offer characteristics including tax shield increases, exchange offer premia, and transaction costs of refunding. Common stock excess returns were negatively related to reductions in debt service payments and relaxation of dividend payment constraints. Thus, the evidence is consistent with theories predicting that certain debt refundings generate negative information‐signaling price effects. Copyright © 1988, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved