Market Reactions to Corporate Restructurings

This article examines the stock price reactions to restructuring announcements by the DJIA 30 corporations over the period 1988–1995 by employing the event study methodology and cross-sectional regression analyses. Corporate restructurings, historically regarded as highly unusual accounting events, became increasingly common after 1987. One probable cause is the discretionary power managers enjoy due to the flexibility allowed by the Accounting Principles and Financial Accounting Standards Boards. Our general findings are that, contrary to contemporary press comments, restructurings, especially those impose a charge against the firm's earnings, are typically associated with negative excess returns. This evidence seems to be consistent with the notion that restructurings reveal unfavorable information of the firm's future performance. Furthermore, the larger the size of the restructuring amount announced in the Wall Street Journal, the more negative the stock price reaction is.     

Executive stock option vesting conditions,corporate governance and CEO attributes: evidence from Australia

We investigate the association between executive stock option (ESO) vesting conditions, corporate governance and CEO attributes. Using observations from the 250 largest Australian firms, we find that stronger corporate governance is positively associated with the length of the vesting period and the use of performance hurdles. We also find that when CEOs approach retirement, firms are more likely to grant longer time‐vesting options but are less likely to impose performance hurdles. Further, more powerful CEOs appear to influence the granting of ESOs with less restrictive vesting conditions. Our findings suggest that both corporate governance and CEO attributes significantly shape the design of ESOs.     

What benefit specialists think about medical savings account options for large firms

Currently, tax-preferred medical savings accounts (MSAs) are being offered on a trial basis to employees of small companies. This article reports results of a survey investigating the potential impact of adding an MSA to a medium- or large-sized firm's employee benefit offerings. The variables examined fall into the categories of attitudes toward views on employee benefits in general, the MSA option and issues associated with risk segmentation.     

Costs and benefits of a modest proposal

The principles of Social Cost-Benefit Analysis (SCBA) are used to evaluate Jonathan Swift's Modest Proposal. This was a suggestion for solving the problems of poverty and unemployment in eighteenth-century Ireland by selling the ‘surplus’ babies of the poor to supply the tables of the rich. On the evidence supplied by Swift and on fairly conservative assumptions, the project would appear to have a very high rate of return. This conclusion is, however, very sensitive to the relevant rates of interest and costs of construction. Some possible criticisms—in particular of the method of valuing human life — are rebutted.