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Modeling the determinants of meet-or-just-beat behavior in distribution discontinuity tests

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  • Byzalov, Dmitri
  • Basu, Sudipta

Abstract

We develop new distribution discontinuity tests conditional on multiple explanatory variables for analyzing meet-or-just-beat behavior around benchmarks. These tests combine Burgstahler and Dichev's (1997) meet-or-just-beat intuition with a flexible statistical model that addresses important limitations of the existing tests. Our method considerably outperforms logit-based tests of distribution discontinuity determinants and changes the interpretation of a major finding in the earnings discontinuity literature. As a secondary benefit, it also has slightly higher statistical power than histogram-based tests of distribution discontinuity existence. Our method is robust, easy to implement using our publicly available Stata command, and could benefit researchers in many fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Byzalov, Dmitri & Basu, Sudipta, 2019. "Modeling the determinants of meet-or-just-beat behavior in distribution discontinuity tests," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:68:y:2019:i:2:s0165410119300618
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2019.101266
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    3. Naser Makarem & Frank Hong Liu & Lei Chen, 2023. "Evidence that financing decisions contribute to the zero-earnings discontinuity," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 231-257, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Standardized difference test; Performance benchmark; Bright-line rule; Smooth distribution; Non-linear interpolation; Conditional distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • C20 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - General
    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities

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