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Chief Executive Officer departures and market uncertainty

Author

Listed:
  • W Jane Cheung

    (Department of the Treasury, Australia)

  • Andrew B Jackson

    (School of Accounting, University of New South Wales, Australia)

Abstract

This study investigates the effect on stock return volatility of a significant event in the life of a firm, a change in its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Citing weaknesses in the prior literature, we bring a new approach to re-examine the issue. Firstly, we use a relatively unbiased classification system using both company announcements and media reports. Secondly, we use short-term stock return volatility as a more accurate estimator to isolate the effect of a single disclosure. We find strong evidence that the level of stock return volatility increases following announcements of CEO departures, and that the increase is significantly higher following announcements of forced departures compared to voluntary departures. The results are consistent with signalling effect theory in that forced dismissals convey previously unknown information to the market. Signed cumulative abnormal returns are also more negative for a forced CEO departure.

Suggested Citation

  • W Jane Cheung & Andrew B Jackson, 2013. "Chief Executive Officer departures and market uncertainty," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 38(2), pages 279-310, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:38:y:2013:i:2:p:279-310
    DOI: 10.1177/0312896212450040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nera Marinda Machdar, 2019. "Does CEO Turnover Affect Stock Market Performance through Company Performance in Indonesian Companies?," International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance and Accounting, Online Academic Press, vol. 4(1), pages 15-21.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    abnormal returns; Chief Executive Officer; stock return volatility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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