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Discretionary behavior with respect to the adoption of SFAS no. 142 and the behavior of security prices

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  • Yoonseok Zang

Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to examine whether managers use discretion in determining transitional goodwill impairment loss (initial impairment loss or IIL) upon the adoption of SFAS no. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and whether and how the market reacts to the impairment loss and to the absence of goodwill amortization. Design/methodology/approach - Various empirical models are applied to a sample of 870 firms that completed the IIL test. Findings - It is found that more highly leveraged firms (firms that have undergone a recent management change) report lower (greater) goodwill impairment. Stock return is not associated with a boost in earnings caused by elimination of goodwill amortization, but it is negatively associated with an unexpected IIL, with the association being stronger for highly leveraged firms. Subsequently, analysts revise earnings forecasts for upcoming quarters downward in response to the unexpected IIL. Research limitations/implications - Possibility of measurement errors in proxies is a caveat. Practical implications - The findings are consistent with the strategic reduction of the goodwill impairment by management to avoid the violation of debt covenants and with the notion that new managers take a big bath so they can report higher earnings in the future. The market tests imply that unexpected IIL provides value‐relevant information about a negative view of the future profit‐making potential of the firm or an adverse impact on its debt contracts. No association with elimination of goodwill amortization can be interpreted as the market's anticipation or the lack of information content in goodwill amortization. Originality/value - This research helps better understand the importance of managers' incentives in determining IIL as well as the stock market effect of the announcement of the IIL and the exclusion of goodwill amortization.

Suggested Citation

  • Yoonseok Zang, 2008. "Discretionary behavior with respect to the adoption of SFAS no. 142 and the behavior of security prices," Review of Accounting and Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 7(1), pages 38-68, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:rafpps:v:7:y:2008:i:1:p:38-68
    DOI: 10.1108/14757700810853842
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin T. Albersmann & Reiner Quick, 2020. "The Impact of Audit Quality Indicators on the Timeliness of Goodwill Impairments: Evidence from the German Setting," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 56(1), pages 66-103, March.
    2. Araceli Amorós Martínez & José Antonio Cavero Rubio, 2018. "The Economic Effects of IFRS Goodwill Reporting," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(3), pages 309-322, September.
    3. Jonas Oliveira & Graça Azevedo & Bertina Oliveira, 2018. "Impairment Losses: The Impact of First‐time Adoption of the Accounting Standardisation System in Portugal," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(4), pages 556-576, December.
    4. Abdul Majid, Jamaliah, 2015. "Reporting incentives, ownership concentration by the largest outside shareholder, and reported goodwill impairment losses," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 199-214.
    5. Atanasov, Atanas, 2018. "Фактори, Влияещи Върху Обезценката На Репутацията [Goodwill Impairment Factors]," MPRA Paper 87625, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Iatridis, George Emmanuel & Pappas, Kostas & Walker, Martin, 2022. "Narrative disclosure quality and the timeliness of goodwill impairments," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 54(2).
    7. Jani Saastamoinen & Hannu Ojala & Kati Pajunen & Pontus Troberg, 2018. "Analyst Characteristics and the Level of Critical Perception of Goodwill Accounting," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 28(4), pages 538-555, December.
    8. Mohammad Ebrahim Nawaiseh, 2016. "Can Impairment Recognition under IAS 36 Be Improved by Financial Performance?," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(12), pages 163-174, December.
    9. Jorge Pallarés Sanchidrián & Javier Pérez García & José A. Gonzalo-Angulo, 2021. "(IR) Relevance of goodwill impairment: the case of European banking (2005–2015)," Journal of Banking Regulation, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(1), pages 24-38, March.
    10. Terry A. Baker & Thomas J. Lopez & Austin L. Reitenga & George W. Ruch, 2019. "The influence of CEO and CFO power on accruals and real earnings management," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 325-345, January.
    11. Nicola Giuseppe Castellano & Katia Corsi & Roberto Del Gobbo, 2015. "Goodwill Disclosure in Europe. Profiles of disclosing companies," Eastern European Business and Economics Journal, Eastern European Business and Economics Studies Centre, vol. 1(2), pages 32-65.
    12. Qiang Cheng & Young Jun Cho & Holly Yang, 2018. "Financial reporting changes and the internal information environment: Evidence from SFAS 142," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 347-383, March.
    13. Atanasov, Atanas, 2019. "Репутацията Като Обект На Счетоводството: Признаване, Оценяване, Оповестяване [Goodwill as an accounting object: initial recognition, measurement, disclosure]," MPRA Paper 97938, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Begoña Giner & Francisca Pardo, 2015. "How Ethical are Managers’ Goodwill Impairment Decisions in Spanish-Listed Firms?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 132(1), pages 21-40, November.
    15. Nour Malijebtou Hassine & Faouzi Jilani, 2017. "Earnings Management Behavior with Respect to Goodwill Impairment Losses under IAS 36: The French Case," International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 7(2), pages 177-196, April.
    16. repec:eeb:15v1n2:v:1:y:2015:i:2:p:32-65 is not listed on IDEAS
    17. Atanas Atanasov, 2021. "COVID-19 as a Triggering Event in the Goodwill Impairment Testing," Izvestia Journal of the Union of Scientists - Varna. Economic Sciences Series, Union of Scientists - Varna, Economic Sciences Section, vol. 10(3), pages 177-184, December.
    18. Atanasov, Atanas, 2017. "Управленски Аспекти На Счетоводната Обезценка На Търговската Репутация [Management Aspects of the Impairment of Goodwill]," MPRA Paper 85675, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    19. Silvia Ferramosca & Giulio Greco & Marco Allegrini, 2017. "External audit and goodwill write-off," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 21(4), pages 907-934, December.

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