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Strategic estimation of asset fair values

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  • Hanley, Kathleen W.
  • Jagolinzer, Alan D.
  • Nikolova, Stanislava

Abstract

We examine whether fair value (FV) input levels and estimation sources are related to FV inflation, the difference between an insurer's FV estimate and the consensus FV estimate across the security's holders. FV inflation is higher, and self-estimation more likely, when insurers report using Level 3 inputs when the consensus level is 2. Regardless of the level, FV is greater when self-estimated. Public insurers that inflate FV through self-estimation potentially obfuscate detection by reporting the use of Level 2 inputs. Insurers with stronger incentives to appear financially healthy choose to self-estimate, resulting in greater aggregate portfolio FV inflation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanley, Kathleen W. & Jagolinzer, Alan D. & Nikolova, Stanislava, 2018. "Strategic estimation of asset fair values," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 25-45.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:66:y:2018:i:1:p:25-45
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2018.01.004
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    3. Kalin S. Kolev, 2019. "Do Investors Perceive Marking-to-Model as Marking-to-Myth? Early Evidence from FAS 157 Disclosure," Quarterly Journal of Finance (QJF), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 9(02), pages 1-47, June.
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    5. Bischof, Jannis & Haselmann, Rainer & Tröger, Tobias, 2022. "Monitoring complex financial instruments in banks' balance sheets," SAFE White Paper Series 91, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE.
    6. Bischof, Jannis & Laux, Christian & Leuz, Christian, 2020. "Accounting for financial stability: Lessons from the financial crisis and future challenges," SAFE Working Paper Series 283, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE.
    7. He, Liyu & Hsin-han Shen, Carl & Shiu, Cheng-Yi, 2022. "Is fair value information fairly priced? Evidence from IPOs in global capital markets✰," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fair value; Level 1; Level 2; Level 3; SFAS 157; Insurance companies; Regulatory capital; Asset values; Estimation bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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