What positive signal might stockholders interpret from a stock repurchase?

When a company initiates a stock repurchase, it often signals to stockholders that management believes the company's shares are undervalued. This action can instill confidence in investors, as it suggests that the company sees potential for growth and believes that investing its own resources back into its stock is a more favorable use of capital than other alternatives, such as pursuing new projects or acquisitions.

Stock buybacks can reduce the number of shares outstanding, potentially increasing earnings per share (EPS) and demonstrating management's commitment to enhancing shareholder value. This perception of undervaluation can encourage stockholders to view the company's prospects positively, as it reflects management's belief in the intrinsic worth of the business and its future performance.

The other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not directly tie the positive signal of a stock repurchase to management’s perspective on valuation. For example, a planned merger or increased dividends may not necessarily correlate with stock buybacks, and strong demand for products, while potentially leading to profitability, does not imply value assessment regarding the stock.