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Timeliness of Annual Reports of Chinese Listed Companies

Author

Listed:
  • Jianling Wang
  • Lin Song

Abstract

The timeliness of annual reports has received serious attention by the Chinese regulatory and professional bodies in recent years. Using 8294 company reports from the Chinese listed companies during 1993-2003, this paper analyzes the timeliness of annual reports by first examining the trend of reporting lags, separating the effects of 'good' and 'bad' news on timeliness, and then by using a multivariate regression to identify the determinants of reporting lags. It is found that there is a significant improvement on timeliness of reports although the shortening of reporting lags shows a U-shape over the data period. There is strong evidence that reporting lags were related to firm performance as bad news tended to hold back timely release of corporate reports. It is interesting to note that government policies have also played an important role in improving timeliness of corporate annual reporting in China but much more work needs to be done to make sure that listed companies provide more timely and reliable reports to investors and regulatory authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianling Wang & Lin Song, 2006. "Timeliness of Annual Reports of Chinese Listed Companies," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(3), pages 241-257.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jocebs:v:4:y:2006:i:3:p:241-257
    DOI: 10.1080/14765280600995538
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Wafa Al-Ghanem & Mohamed Hegazy, 2011. "An Empirical Analysis of Audit Delays and Timeliness of Corporate Financial Reporting in Kuwait," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 1(1), pages 73-90, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Annual report; timeliness; Chinese listed companies; JEL Classification: G14; G38;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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