This research describes an analysis, using event-study methodology, of the reaction of the stock returns of a sample, drawn from the one-hundred largest bank holding companies, to certain actions of regulatory agencies. The first part of the analysis examines the reaction of the bank stocks to the closure of the Bank of New England, using cross-sectional variables not previously examined by other investigators. The second event considers the invalidation of interest-rate swap contracts by the British Law Lords, the highest court in Britain. The third case is an examination of the effects of actions taken to enforce the Community Reinvestment Act. All three events have significant abnormal returns in at least one sub-sample and event window. The results of the cross-sectional analysis and the lack of response to later events are consistent with market efficiency in the semi-strong form. The results are also consistent with the hypothesis that regulatory policies that emphasize consistency and banking system safety are desirable.

by Kan Yat Cho Joe. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 82). / abstracts --- p.ii / table of contents --- p.iii / LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.vi / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.viii / Chapter / Chapter 1 --- introduction --- p.1 / Objective of Financial Statements --- p.1 / Users of Financial Statements --- p.2 / Chapter 2 --- METHODOLOGY OF STUDY --- p.5 / Selection Criteria --- p.5 / Analysis Approach --- p.7 / Results of Search for Target Company --- p.8 / Chapter 3 --- COMPANY BACKGROUND --- p.10 / Company History --- p.10 / Production Process --- p.12 / Company Structure --- p.14 / Operational Structure --- p.15 / Principal Products --- p.16 / Market Geography --- p.18 / Chapter 4 --- MARCO-ANALYSIS / The PRC Economy --- p.20 / The Steel Industry --- p.23 / Chapter 5 --- MICHAEL PORTER'S FIVE FORCES --- p.26 / Present Competition --- p.26 / Threat of New Entrants --- p.27 / Substitute Products --- p.28 / Bargaining Power of Suppliers --- p.28 / Bargaining Power of Customers --- p.29 / Chapter 6 --- RISK FACTORS / Risk Associated with the PRC --- p.30 / Risk Associated with the Steel Industry --- p.31 / Risk Associated with Magang --- p.32 / Chapter 7 --- FINANCIAL ANALYSIS / Evaluation of Accounting Policies --- p.34 / Adjustments to Financial Statements --- p.35 / Financial Ratio Analysis --- p.44 / Chapter 8 --- VALUATION / Calculation of Discount Rate --- p.58 / Asset and Liability Based Value --- p.61 / Price Earning Multiple --- p.64 / Dividend Growth Model --- p.66 / Discount Cashflow Model --- p.68 / Summary --- p.68 / Chapter 9 --- LIMITATION TO STUDY --- p.70 / Lack of Comprehensive and Accurate Data --- p.70 / Lack of Peer Data --- p.71 / Limited Listing Period --- p.71 / APPENDIX --- p.73 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.82