To convey information through a firm's actions. The more costly it is to provide a signal, the more credibility it has. For example, to call a press conference and tell everyone that the firm's prospects have improved is less effective than saying the same thing and raising the dividend. Bloomberg Financial Dictionary
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Ⅰ.
signal UK US /ˈsɪgnəl/ noun [C]
► a sign that something is true or that something is going to happen: a signal to sb »
It is a signal to the rest of the world that we are serious about global warming.
»a clear/strong /important signal
a signal of sth »It was a strong signal of the power now wielded by big institutional investors.
»mixed/conflicting/contradicting signals
»the right/wrong signal
»a positive signal
► COMMUNICATIONS a series of electrical or radio waves that are sent to a radio, television, or mobile phone in order to produce a sound, picture, or message: »
I couldn't get a signal on my phone.
Ⅱ.
signal UK US /ˈsɪgnəl/ verb [T] (UK -ll-, US -l-)
► to show that something is going to happen or that you are going to do something: »
Drops in sales signal a tough year ahead.
signal that »It recently signalled that it would not stand in the way of a takeover bid.
Financial and business terms. 2012.