Long-Run Common Stock Returns Following Stock Splits and Stock Dividends

Abstract

We examine one-to three-year performance of common stocks following stock split and stock dividend announcements made during the period 1976 to 1991. The average one-and three-year buy-and-hold abnormal returns after the announcement month are 8.19% and 7.55% respectively. Also, smaller firms exhibit larger announcement period as well as larger one-to three-year abnormal returns. The results cannot be explained away by general cash-dividend increase announcements or earnings announcements. Overall, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that the market underreacts to the stock split and the stock dividend announcements.

JEL Classification: G14, G35