Stock Splits: Signalling or Liquidity? The Case of Adr 'Solo-Splits'

Abstract

Stock splits are a common capital structure alteration which ought to have no effect on firm value in perfect capital markets. Empirical studies find that stock prices increase upon announcement of stock splits. The two traditional explanations for the rise in prices are information signaling on the part of managers and improved liquidity for shares that trade at lower prices. We investigate these explanations by studying splits of American Deposit Receipt (ADR) securities which are not associated with splits in the home country stock. We argue that these splits are likely to be motivated by the desire for liquidity improvements only. The results indicate that ADR prices rise by a statistically significant 1 to 2 percent at the announcement. We interpret this evidence as supportive of the liquidity explanation of stock split announcement effects.

JEL Classification: G10