This study develops a model based on current corporate finance theories which
explains stock returns associated with the announcement of issuer exchange
offers. The major independent variables are changes in leverage multiplied by
senior security claims outstanding and changes in debt tax shields. Parameter
estimates are statistically significant and consistent in sign and relative magnitude
with model predictions. Overall, 55 percent of the variance in stock
announcement period returns is explained. The evidence is consistent with taxbased
theories of optimal capital structure, a positive debt level information
effect, and leverage-induced wealth transfers across security classes.