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Accruals quality, stock returns and asset pricing: Evidence from the UK

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  • Mouselli, Sulaiman
  • Jaafar, Aziz
  • Goddard, John

Abstract

The extent to which accruals quality (AQ) is relevant for asset pricing has been debated widely. Prior research in this area has focused almost exclusively on the US. Using UK data, we investigate whether AQ portfolios exhibit evidence of significant mispricing, and whether an AQ factor is useful in explaining the portfolios' returns. We also investigate whether AQ is a priced risk factor. Using a two stage cross-sectional regression, we show that an AQ measure explains the cross-section of stock returns. AQ also explains the time-series variation in returns for two sets of portfolios: 16 size-BM portfolios, and 20 industry portfolios. Consistent with some recent US evidence, however, we find no evidence that AQ is a priced risk factor for UK stocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Mouselli, Sulaiman & Jaafar, Aziz & Goddard, John, 2013. "Accruals quality, stock returns and asset pricing: Evidence from the UK," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 203-213.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:30:y:2013:i:c:p:203-213
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2013.08.006
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    2. Papanastasopoulos, Georgios A. & Tsiritakis, Emmanuel, 2015. "The accrual anomaly in Europe: The role of accounting distortions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 176-185.
    3. Li, Yingqi & Yu, Junli & Zhang, Zhou & Zheng, Steven Xiaofan, 2016. "The effect of internal control weakness on firm valuation: Evidence from SOX Section 404 disclosures," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 17(C), pages 17-24.
    4. Adnan Shoaib & Muhammad A. Siddiqui, 2022. "Earning information content changes based on accrual measures and quality measures: Evidences from member countries of Asia Pacific trade agreement," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(1), pages 1526-1546, January.
    5. Eliwa, Yasser & Haslam, Jim & Abraham, Santhosh, 2016. "The association between earnings quality and the cost of equity capital: Evidence from the UK," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 125-139.
    6. Gregory, Alan & Hua, Shan & Tharyan, Rajesh, 2018. "In search of beta," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(4), pages 425-441.
    7. Simlai, Prodosh E., 2016. "Time-varying risk, mispricing attributes, and the accrual premium," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 150-161.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Accruals quality; Asset pricing; Information risk; Stock returns;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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