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Activist investors and open market share repurchases

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  • Autore, Don M.
  • Clarke, Nicholas
  • Liu, Baixiao

Abstract

This study examines the role of activist investors in firms’ decisions to conduct open market share repurchases. Compared with firms making ordinary share repurchases, firms making activist-involved repurchases have more cash holdings, are more undervalued, experience better subsequent stock performance and similar improvements in operating performance, and eventually repurchase more shares. Moreover, repurchasing firms in which an activist investor claims to take a passive role exhibit no undervaluation, and repurchasing firms that make multiple repurchases exhibit share undervaluation only in repurchases where an activist is involved. In all, our findings suggest that activist-involvement is associated with improved corporate repurchase decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Autore, Don M. & Clarke, Nicholas & Liu, Baixiao, 2019. "Activist investors and open market share repurchases," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 1-1.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:107:y:2019:i:c:1
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2019.105614
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    2. Chang, Juin-Jen & Kuo, Chun-Hung & Lin, Hsieh-Yu & Yang, Shu-Chun S., 2023. "Share buybacks and corporate tax cuts," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    3. Bessler, Wolfgang & Vendrasco, Marco, 2022. "Corporate control and shareholder activism in Germany: An empirical analysis of hedge fund strategies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Karen Schnatterly & Felipe Calvano & John P. Berns & Chaoqun Deng, 2021. "The effects of board expertise‐risk misalignment and subsequent strategic board reconfiguration on firm performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(11), pages 2162-2191, November.
    5. Feng, Yitian, 2023. "Do listed companies fulfill their public commitments? Evidence from the stake-raising commitments of Chinese companies," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    6. Bessler, Wolfgang & Vendrasco, Marco, 2022. "Why do companies become hedge fund targets? Evidence from shareholder activism in Germany," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PB).

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