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R&D information quality and stock returns

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  • Huang, Tao
  • Li, Junye
  • Wu, Fei
  • Zhu, Ning

Abstract

Investors demand higher premiums from firms whose future R&D performance is difficult to evaluate. We construct a measure of R&D information quality (RDIQ) by linking a firm's historical innovation input (R&D expenditures) and innovation outcome (sales) and find significant evidence that expected excess returns decrease with RDIQ. We find that the high-minus-low RDIQ hedge portfolio earns excess returns of −23 (−25) bps per month in value-weighted (equal-weighted) returns. We also find that the RDIQ effect is weakly correlated with commonly used risk factors, is stronger for firms with greater uncertain business environment, and exhibits incremental pricing power.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Tao & Li, Junye & Wu, Fei & Zhu, Ning, 2022. "R&D information quality and stock returns," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finmar:v:57:y:2022:i:c:s1386418120300689
    DOI: 10.1016/j.finmar.2020.100599
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Research and development; Information quality; Return predictability; Factor models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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