Pr. Kadapakkam et Ap. Tang, STOCK REACTION TO DIVIDEND SAVINGS OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED CALLS - FREE CASH FLOW OR PRICE PRESSURE EFFECTS, Journal of banking & finance, 20(10), 1996, pp. 1759-1773
Calls of in-the-money convertible preferred stock typically induce div
idend savings for the firm, since preferred dividends exceed common st
ock dividends, Prior research finds that these savings are negatively
related to stock returns at call announcement and argues that the mark
et expects managers to abuse the increased free cash flow. This paper
finds that dividend savings are closely related to call size, suggesti
ng other explanations, Larger calls experience a more negative announc
ement reaction. Consistent with temporary liquidity effects, there is
a price reversal during the conversion period, which is greater for la
rger calls.