EFFECT OF RIGHTS ISSUE, BONUS ISSUE AND STOCK SPLIT ANNOUNCEMENTS ON SHARE RETURNS OF FIRMS LISTED IN NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE

Purpose: The objective was to find out the effect of rights issue, bonus issue and stock split announcements on share returns of firms listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange. Materials and Methods: Event study research design was used in the study.  Target population comprised all companies in the Nairobi Securities Exchange register that announced bonus issue, rights, and stock split from 2014 to 2020. There were 6 companies which announced rights issue, 17 companies which announced bonus issue and 2 companies which announced stock splits. The study employed event study methodology whereby collection of secondary data was done for 30 days before and after respectively for each bonus issue, rights issue and stock split announcement. Statistical bias was eliminated by using normality and autocorrelation tests there after the Mean Adjusted Return Model was used in determining expected returns and abnormal returns. Results: In all the companies there were abnormal returns which prove that the announcements had an effect on share returns, Sixteen companies witnessed increase in abnormal returns while nine firms witnessed decline in abnormal returns following the announcements. To whether the effects were significant null hypothesis postulating that the announcements had significant effect on share returns of firms listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange was accepted for twenty four firms and rejected for one firm. The conclusion was that right issue, bonus issue and stock splits announcements have a significant effect on Share returns. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommendations include that; the Nairobi Securities exchange should support research by providing data free of charge for interested researchers. The Capital Markets Authority and NSE should educate investors on the investment opportunities available and this will increase local investors in the bourse, currently most investors are foreigners. NSE and CMA should beef up surveillance in the market so as to curb insider trading especially when companies are about to make any form of corporate announcements.