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Stock liquidity and managerial short-termism

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  • Chen, Yangyang
  • Rhee, S. Ghon
  • Veeraraghavan, Madhu
  • Zolotoy, Leon

Abstract

We examine whether stock liquidity exacerbates or mitigates managerial short-termism. Utilizing earnings management as a proxy for managerial short-termism, we establish three major findings. First, firms with liquid stocks engage in less accrual-based and real earnings management. Second, the effect of stock liquidity on earnings management is amplified for firms with high levels of managerial pay-for-performance sensitivity. Third, the positive association between the intensity of earnings management and firm cost of capital is evident only for firms with low stock liquidity. Our findings are consistent with the threat of blockholder exit as the main governance channel through which stock liquidity discourages opportunistic earnings management and mitigates managerial short-termism.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Yangyang & Rhee, S. Ghon & Veeraraghavan, Madhu & Zolotoy, Leon, 2015. "Stock liquidity and managerial short-termism," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 44-59.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:60:y:2015:i:c:p:44-59
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2015.07.007
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    6. Kung-Cheng Ho & Hung-Yi Huang & Shengnan Liu, 2022. "Information disclosure ratings and managerial short-termism: An empirical investigation of the Chinese stock market," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 349-381, March.
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    8. Qilong Cao & Meng Ju & Jinglei Li & Changbao Zhong, 2022. "Managerial Myopia and Long-Term Investment: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
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    10. Ee, Mong Shan & Hasan, Iftekhar & Huang, He, 2022. "Stock liquidity and corporate labor investment11We are grateful to the editor (Heitor Almeida) and an anynmous reviewer for detailed and significant guidance and suggestions. We thank Huu Duong, Alvin," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
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    12. Nadarajah, Sivathaasan & Duong, Huu Nhan & Ali, Searat & Liu, Benjamin & Huang, Allen, 2021. "Stock liquidity and default risk around the world," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Stock liquidity; Managerial short-termism; Earnings management; Corporate governance; Cost of capital;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General

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