This paper evaluates the ability of dividend ratios to predict the equity premium. We conduct an out-of-sample comparative study and apply the Goyal and Welch (2003) methodology to equity premia derived from the UK FTSE All-Share and the Samp;P 500 indices. Preliminary in-sample univariate...

In this paper, we analyze whether regulation reduced risk during the credit crisis and the sovereign debt crisis for a cross section of global banks. In this regard, we examine distance to default (Laeven and Levine, 2008), systemic risk (Acharya et al., 2010), idiosyncratic risk, and systematic...

In this paper we investigate the impact of institutional ownership on UK mergers and acquisitions. We employ a comprehensive sample of M&As conducted by UK acquirers from 2000 to 2010, thus including a full cycle of peak and trough in M&A waves. We find that institutional investors increase the...

In this paper, we assess which firm-characteristics are associated with a firm's decision to announce a share repurchase programme in a cross-country framework. In the models, we incorporate firm-specific financial characteristics and measures of share price performance. We find that size, cash...

An open market share buyback is not a firm commitment, and there is limited evidence on whether firms repurchase the intended shares. Unlike US studies, we use data from unique UK regulatory and disclosure environment that allows to accurately measure the share buyback completion rates. We show...

Open market buybacks are not firm commitments and there is limited evidence on whether firms repurchase the intended shares. We employ a comprehensive set of hand-collected data on information disclosure on open market share buyback announcements and the respective buyback trades in UK. We...

In this research paper we employ a logit model methodology in order to identify the determinants of a firm's decision to announce a share repurchase. In the models, we incorporate firm specific financial characteristics and measures of share price performance. Hence, we are able to estimate the...