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Is cross-listing a panacea for improving earnings quality? The case of H- and B-share firms in China

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  • Arslan-Ayaydin, Özgür
  • Chen, Shimin
  • Ni, Serene Xu
  • Thewissen, James

Abstract

This study examines whether cross-listed Chinese H- and B-share firms exhibit higher earnings quality relative to non-cross-listed A-share firms based on seven accounting- and market-based earnings quality attributes, including accrual quality, persistence, predictability, smoothness, conservatism, timeliness and value relevance. We find that earnings quality does not differ between cross-listed and non-cross listed firms in terms of accrual quality, timeliness and value relevance, and that H- and B-share firms report earnings with lower quality in terms of persistence and predictability. We also find that the B-firms report smoother earnings, while the H-firms report more conservative earnings. The results of a battery of cross-sectional, endogeneity and sensitivity analyses either confirm our primary findings of no earnings quality difference or reveal lower earnings quality for cross-listed firms than for non-cross-listed firms. Considering that cross-listing in China is primarily driven by government decisions, our findings suggest that, without proper incentives, cross-listing is not likely to be a panacea for higher quality financial reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Arslan-Ayaydin, Özgür & Chen, Shimin & Ni, Serene Xu & Thewissen, James, 2022. "Is cross-listing a panacea for improving earnings quality? The case of H- and B-share firms in China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:81:y:2022:i:c:s1057521922000813
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2022.102113
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