Using a sample of 2,241 shareholder lawsuits from 1996 through 2008, we identify 579 lawsuit firms (26%) with publicly traded bonds. We find a mean [median] excess bond return of -2.59% [-1.83%], and a significant increase in trading volume for these bonds around the class action filing date....

Using a sample of 2,241 shareholder lawsuits from 1996 through 2008, we identify 579 lawsuit firms (26%) with publicly traded bonds. We find a mean [median] excess bond return of -2.59% [-1.83%], and a significant increase in trading volume for these bonds around the class action filing date....

We examine recent confrontational shareholder activism campaigns by hedge funds and by other private investors. The three main parallels between the groups are a significantly positive market reaction for the target firm around the initial Schedule 13D filing date, a further significant increase...