Structural Equation Modeling Applied to the Reaction to Stock Dividends and Stock Splits: integrating signaling, liquidity and optimal price level

This work develops a hybrid model of structural equations able to take simultaneously the hypotheses of signaling, liquidity, and optimal price level to explain the reaction to the stock dividends and stock splits. In the measurement model four constructs were defined: trading activity, spread, size, and price. The structural model defines extant relations from the proposition of 22 sub-hypotheses. A sample of 321 splits performed in the Brazilian market between 1990 and 2004 was used for assessing the model. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the validity and coherence of the four constructs. The structural model confirmed 9 original sub-hypotheses.