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The Predictive Content of Aggregate Analyst Recommendations

Author

Listed:
  • JOHN S. HOWE
  • EMRE UNLU
  • XUEMIN (STERLING) YAN

Abstract

Using more than 350,000 sell‐side analyst recommendations from January 1994 to August 2006, this paper examines the predictive content of aggregate analyst recommendations. We find that changes in aggregate analyst recommendations forecast future market excess returns after controlling for macroeconomic variables that have been shown to influence market returns. Similarly, changes in industry‐aggregated analyst recommendations predict future industry returns. Changes in aggregate analyst recommendations also predict one‐quarter‐ahead aggregate earnings growth. Overall, our results suggest that analyst recommendations contain market‐ and industry‐level information about future returns and earnings.

Suggested Citation

  • John S. Howe & Emre Unlu & Xuemin (Sterling) Yan, 2009. "The Predictive Content of Aggregate Analyst Recommendations," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(3), pages 799-821, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:joares:v:47:y:2009:i:3:p:799-821
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-679X.2009.00337.x
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