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Conservatism correction for the market-to-book ratio and Tobin’s q

Author

Listed:
  • Maureen McNichols

    (Stanford University)

  • Madhav V. Rajan

    (Stanford University)

  • Stefan Reichelstein

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

We decompose the market-to-book ratio into two additive components: a conservatism correction factor and a future-to-book ratio. The conservatism correction factor exceeds the benchmark value of one whenever the accounting for past transactions has been subject to an (unconditional) conservatism bias. The observed history of a firm’s past investments allows us to calculate the magnitude of its conservatism correction factor, resulting in an average value that is about two-thirds of the overall market-to-book ratio. We demonstrate that our measure of Tobin’s q, obtained as the market-to-book ratio divided by the conservatism correction factor, has greater explanatory power in predicting future investments than the market-to-book ratio by itself. Our model analysis derives a number of structural properties of the conservatism correction factor, including its sensitivity to growth in past investments, the percentage of investments in intangibles, and the firm’s cost of capital. We provide empirical support for these hypothesized structural properties.

Suggested Citation

  • Maureen McNichols & Madhav V. Rajan & Stefan Reichelstein, 2014. "Conservatism correction for the market-to-book ratio and Tobin’s q," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1393-1435, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:19:y:2014:i:4:d:10.1007_s11142-013-9275-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-013-9275-2
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    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions

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