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The pricing of accruals quality in credit default swap spreads

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  • Pervaiz Alam
  • Xiaoling Pu
  • Barry Hettler
  • Hai Lin

Abstract

We examine the association between accounting information risk, measured with accruals quality (AQ), and credit spreads, primarily measured with credit default swap (CDS) spreads. Theoretically, AQ measures the precision with which accruals map into cash flows. Better AQ implies a more precise estimate of future cash flows and, we predict, a reduction in credit spreads due to resulting lower uncertainty regarding the ability to meet debt interest and principal payments. In support of this hypothesis, we find a negative relationship between AQ and CDS spreads whereby better AQ is associated with lower CDS spreads. Additionally, we investigate the components of total AQ and find that innate AQ is more strongly associated with CDS spreads than is discretionary AQ. We further show that AQ moderates the market's pricing of earnings: the relationship between earnings and CDS spreads weakens as AQ worsens. Together, our results indicate that accounting information risk is priced in credit spreads and that the CDS market responds not only to the level of earnings, but the quality thereof as well.

Suggested Citation

  • Pervaiz Alam & Xiaoling Pu & Barry Hettler & Hai Lin, 2020. "The pricing of accruals quality in credit default swap spreads," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(3), pages 1943-1977, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:60:y:2020:i:3:p:1943-1977
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12368
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    Cited by:

    1. Wulung Li, 2021. "The role of accounting quality in corporate liquidity management," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(2), pages 2631-2670, June.

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