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Silence is safest: Information disclosure when the audience’s preferences are uncertain

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  • Bond, Philip
  • Zeng, Yao

Abstract

We examine voluntary disclosure decisions when firms are uncertain about audience preferences and are risk averse. In contrast to classic “unraveling” results, some firms remain silent in equilibrium. Silence is safer than disclosure; silence reduces the sensitivity of a firm’s payoff to audience preferences. Increases in firm (audience) risk-aversion reduce (increase) disclosure. Our model explains why some firms do not disclose earnings breakdowns, executive compensation, or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance when they face diverse audiences, and why they disclose less under regulatory rules mandating that disclosure be entirely public.

Suggested Citation

  • Bond, Philip & Zeng, Yao, 2022. "Silence is safest: Information disclosure when the audience’s preferences are uncertain," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(1), pages 178-193.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:145:y:2022:i:1:p:178-193
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.08.012
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    Cited by:

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    2. Xiao, Lin & Ye, Yong & Luo, Runmei, 2023. "The diligent effect of investor relation officers in conference calls: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information disclosure; Risk-aversion; Uncertainty; Preferences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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