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Analysts’ role in shaping non-GAAP reporting: evidence from a natural experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Theodore E. Christensen

    (University of Georgia)

  • Enrique Gomez

    (Temple University)

  • Matthew Ma

    (Southern Illinois University Carbondale)

  • Jing Pan

    (Southern Methodist University)

Abstract

We examine how exogenous changes in analyst coverage influence (1) the likelihood that managers will voluntarily disclose customized (non-GAAP) performance metrics and (2) the relative quality of their non-GAAP disclosures. Specifically, we use a quasi-natural-experimental setting in which brokerage firms terminate analyst coverage and find that, following an unanticipated decrease in analyst coverage, managers are more likely to disclose non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) numbers. We also find that managers become more aggressive in their disclosure choices and that the quality of their non-GAAP exclusions decreases after analysts terminate coverage. These effects are more pronounced among firms losing an analyst with greater ability and firms with weaker corporate governance. Overall, our evidence suggests that analysts’ monitoring deters aggressive non-GAAP reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Theodore E. Christensen & Enrique Gomez & Matthew Ma & Jing Pan, 2021. "Analysts’ role in shaping non-GAAP reporting: evidence from a natural experiment," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 172-217, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:26:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11142-020-09564-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-020-09564-7
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    Cited by:

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    4. Sascha B. Herr & Peter Lorson & Jochen Pilhofer, 2022. "Alternative Performance Measures: A Structured Literature Review of Research in Academic and Professional Journals," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 74(3), pages 389-451, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-GAAP reporting; Analyst coverage; Information asymmetry; External monitoring;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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