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Firm size and the information content of annual earnings announcements

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  • BYUNG T. RO

Abstract

. Previous work by Atiase (1985) indicates that the information content of quarterly earnings releases is inversely related to firm size. This study explores the firm†size related differential information content of earnings releases by focusing on annual earnings, assuming that the role of firm size as a proxy for the availability of predisclosure information may differ between annual versus quarterly earnings. In addition, it also investigates how abnormal return reactions to annual earnings releases as a function of firm size change around the date of annual earnings releases. The results show that the firm†size related differential information content of earnings releases exists with annual earnings. Specifically, the extent of common stock return reactions on (around) the annual earnings release date is inversely related to firm size, while market reaction to some early predisclosure dates is positively associated with firm size. The inverse relationship begins to show up a week prior to the earnings release date, and the positive relationship exists for days prior to that week. This latter finding is different from that reported by Atiase in that he did not detect similar evidence with quarterly earnings. No appreciable pattern of association between return reactions and firm size is detected during the week following the release date. Résumé. Les travaux précédents d'Atiase (1985) révèlent que le contenu informatif des renseignements trimestriels publiés relatifs aux bénéfices est inversement proportionnel à la taille de l'entreprise. L'auteur analyse le contenu marginal en information des renseignements relatifs aux bénéfices par rapport à la taille de l'entreprise, et plus particulièrement les bénéfices annuels, en supposant que le rôle de la taille de l'entreprise à titre d'agent d'information trimestrielle peut varier selon qu'il s'agit de bénéfices annuels ou trimestriels. L'auteur analyse en outre comment les réactions anormales du rendement à la publication des bénéfices annuels en fonction de la taille de l'entreprise changent à proximité de la date de publication des bénéfices annuels. Les résultats révèlent que le contenu marginal en information des bénéfices publiés est lié à la taille de l'entreprise dans le cas des bénéfices annuels. En particulier, l'étendue de la réaction du rendement des actions ordinaires à la date (ou près de la date) de publication des bénéfices annuels est en relation inverse avec la taille de l'entreprise, alors que la réaction du rendement à une publication trimestrielle est en relation positive avec la taille de l'entreprise. La relation inverse commence à se manifester une semaine avant la date de publication des bénéfices, alors qu'elle est positive pendant les jours qui précèdent cette semaine. Ce résultat diffère de celui rapporté par Atiase, qui n'a rien décelé qui permette d'en venir à la même conclusion dans le cas des bénéfices trimestriels. Aucune relation mesurable entre la réaction à la publication et la taille de l'entreprise ne se manifeste au cours de la semaine qui suit la date de la publication.

Suggested Citation

  • Byung T. Ro, 1988. "Firm size and the information content of annual earnings announcements," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(2), pages 438-449, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:4:y:1988:i:2:p:438-449
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1911-3846.1988.tb00677.x
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    1. Huang, Meng & Marsden, Alastair & Poskitt, Russell, 2009. "The impact of disclosure reform on the NZX's financial information environment," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 460-478, September.
    2. Byung T. Ro, 1989. "Earnings news and the firm size effect," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 6(1), pages 177-195, September.
    3. Paul K. Chaney & Debra C. Jeter, 1992. "The effect of size on the magnitude of long†window earnings response coefficients," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(2), pages 540-560, March.
    4. P. Barrett Wheeler, 2021. "Unrecognized Expected Credit Losses and Bank Share Prices," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(3), pages 805-866, June.
    5. repec:vuw:vuwscr:18930 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Haung, Meng & Marsden, Alastair & Poskitt, Russell, 2006. "The Impact of Disclosure Reform on the NZX's Financial Information Environment," Working Paper Series 18930, Victoria University of Wellington, The New Zealand Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation.
    7. Haung, Meng & Marsden, Alastair & Poskitt, Russell, 2006. "The Impact of Disclosure Reform on the NZX's Financial Information Environment," Working Paper Series 3835, Victoria University of Wellington, The New Zealand Institute for the Study of Competition and Regulation.

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