IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/abacus/v60y2024i2p272-304.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Corporate Governance Reforms and Analyst Forecasts: International Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Simeng Liu
  • Kun Tracy Wang
  • Yue Wu

Abstract

In this study, we examine the effect of worldwide corporate governance reforms on analyst forecasts using data on firms from 41 countries that have implemented such reforms. Employing a difference‐in‐differences design, we find robust evidence of a significant positive effect of these reforms, which mainly promote the independence of the audit committee and auditors, on analyst forecast accuracy. We also find significant improvements in post‐reform corporate governance structure and the quantity and quality of corporate disclosure, which validates the predicted economic mechanism of the impact of these reforms. Moreover, the reforms are effective in reducing analyst forecast bias and dispersion, suggesting an overall improvement in analyst forecast quality after reform implementation. Furthermore, we find a moderating effect of analyst general experience on the relationship of interest, which is consistent with the conjecture that improved corporate disclosures following reforms could be more beneficial for analysts with less experience. Overall, our findings shed new insights into how country‐level corporate governance reforms worldwide shape firms’ information environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Simeng Liu & Kun Tracy Wang & Yue Wu, 2024. "Corporate Governance Reforms and Analyst Forecasts: International Evidence," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 60(2), pages 272-304, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:abacus:v:60:y:2024:i:2:p:272-304
    DOI: 10.1111/abac.12305
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/abac.12305
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/abac.12305?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kun Tracy Wang & Yanjun Liu & Wanbin Walter Wang, 2022. "Government Control, Regulatory Enforcement Actions, and the Cost of Equity," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(2), pages 449-493, March.
    2. John Nowland, 2008. "The Effect of National Governance Codes on Firm Disclosure Practices: Evidence from Analyst Earnings Forecasts," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(6), pages 475-491, November.
    3. Snowball, Doug, 1980. "Some effects of accounting expertise and information load: An empirical study," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 5(3), pages 323-338, July.
    4. Ole‐Kristian Hope, 2003. "Disclosure Practices, Enforcement of Accounting Standards, and Analysts' Forecast Accuracy: An International Study," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(2), pages 235-272, May.
    5. Hollis Ashbaugh & Morton Pincus, 2001. "Domestic Accounting Standards, International Accounting Standards, and the Predictability of Earnings," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 417-434, December.
    6. Schick, Allen G. & Gordon, Lawrence A. & Haka, Susan, 1990. "Information overload: A temporal approach," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 199-220.
    7. Haw, In-Mu & Hu, Bingbing & Lee, Jay Junghun, 2015. "Product market competition and analyst forecasting activity: International evidence," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 48-60.
    8. Ben-Nasr, Hamdi & Boubaker, Sabri & Sassi, Syrine, 2021. "Board reforms and debt choice," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    9. Nathan Zhenghang Zhu & Kun Tracy Wang & Mark Wilson, 2022. "The Effect of Conditional Management Earnings Forecast Mandates on Voluntary Disclosure and Analyst Forecast Properties," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 58(3), pages 479-522, September.
    10. Chen, Charles J. P. & Jaggi, Bikki, 2000. "Association between independent non-executive directors, family control and financial disclosures in Hong Kong," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 19(4-5), pages 285-310.
    11. Shaorou Hu & Ming Liu & Byungcherl Charlie Sohn & Desmond C. Y. Yuen, 2021. "The impact of disclosure quality on analyst forecasts in China," Accounting Forum, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(4), pages 411-434, October.
    12. Liu, Simeng & Wang, Kun Tracy & Walpola, Sonali, 2023. "Female board representation and the adoption of corporate social responsibility criteria in executive compensation contracts: International evidence," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    13. Hu, Jinshuai & Li, Siqi & Taboada, Alvaro G. & Zhang, Feida, 2020. "Corporate board reforms around the world and stock price crash risk," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    14. Bipin Ajinkya & Sanjeev Bhojraj & Partha Sengupta, 2005. "The Association between Outside Directors, Institutional Investors and the Properties of Management Earnings Forecasts," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(3), pages 343-376, June.
    15. Ahmed Bouteska & Mehdi Mili, 2022. "Does corporate governance affect financial analysts’ stock recommendations, target prices accuracy and earnings forecast characteristics? An empirical investigation of US companies," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 63(4), pages 2125-2171, October.
    16. Patricia M. Dechow & Richard G. Sloan & Amy P. Sweeney, 1996. "Causes and Consequences of Earnings Manipulation: An Analysis of Firms Subject to Enforcement Actions by the SEC," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 1-36, March.
    17. Hirshleifer, David & Teoh, Siew Hong, 2003. "Limited attention, information disclosure, and financial reporting," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 36(1-3), pages 337-386, December.
    18. Tsang, Albert & Wang, Kun Tracy & Liu, Simeng & Yu, Li, 2021. "Integrating corporate social responsibility criteria into executive compensation and firm innovation: International evidence," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    19. Zhang, Ivy Xiying, 2007. "Economic consequences of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 44(1-2), pages 74-115, September.
    20. Ole†Kristian Hope, 2003. "Accounting Policy Disclosures and Analysts' Forecasts," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), pages 295-321, June.
    21. Balachandran, Balasingham & Duong, Huu Nhan & Luong, Hoang & Nguyen, Lily, 2020. "Does takeover activity affect stock price crash risk? Evidence from international M&A laws," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    22. Klein, April, 2002. "Audit committee, board of director characteristics, and earnings management," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 375-400, August.
    23. Fama, Eugene F & Jensen, Michael C, 1983. "Separation of Ownership and Control," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 26(2), pages 301-325, June.
    24. Hutton, Amy P. & Marcus, Alan J. & Tehranian, Hassan, 2009. "Opaque financial reports, R2, and crash risk," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(1), pages 67-86, October.
    25. Dahya, Jay & McConnell, John J., 2007. "Board Composition, Corporate Performance, and the Cadbury Committee Recommendation," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 42(3), pages 535-564, September.
    26. Irene Karamanou & Nikos Vafeas, 2005. "The Association between Corporate Boards, Audit Committees, and Management Earnings Forecasts: An Empirical Analysis," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(3), pages 453-486, June.
    27. Matthias Demmer & Paul Pronobis & Teri Lombardi Yohn, 2019. "Mandatory IFRS adoption and analyst forecast accuracy: the role of financial statement-based forecasts and analyst characteristics," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1022-1065, September.
    28. Joost Impink & Mari Paananen & Annelies Renders, 2022. "Regulation‐induced Disclosures: Evidence of Information Overload?," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 58(3), pages 432-478, September.
    29. Fauver, Larry & Hung, Mingyi & Li, Xi & Taboada, Alvaro G., 2017. "Board reforms and firm value: Worldwide evidence," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 125(1), pages 120-142.
    30. Abarbanell, Jeffery & Lehavy, Reuven, 2003. "Biased forecasts or biased earnings? The role of reported earnings in explaining apparent bias and over/underreaction in analysts' earnings forecasts," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 36(1-3), pages 105-146, December.
    31. Philip Brown & Wendy Beekes & Peter Verhoeven, 2011. "Corporate governance, accounting and finance: A review," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 51(1), pages 96-172, March.
    32. Charles JP Chen & Yuan Ding & Chansog (Francis) Kim, 2010. "High-level politically connected firms, corruption, and analyst forecast accuracy around the world," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 41(9), pages 1505-1524, December.
    33. John, Kose & Senbet, Lemma W., 1998. "Corporate governance and board effectiveness1," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 371-403, May.
    34. John C. Easterwood & Stacey R. Nutt, 1999. "Inefficiency in Analysts' Earnings Forecasts: Systematic Misreaction or Systematic Optimism?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 54(5), pages 1777-1797, October.
    35. Bae, Kee-Hong & El Ghoul, Sadok & Guedhami, Omrane & Zheng, Xiaolan, 2021. "Board Reforms and Dividend Policy: International Evidence," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 56(4), pages 1296-1320, June.
    36. Ryan Davidson & Jenny Goodwin‐Stewart & Pamela Kent, 2005. "Internal governance structures and earnings management," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 45(2), pages 241-267, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Haß, Lars Helge & Vergauwe, Skrålan & Zhang, Qiyu, 2014. "Corporate governance and the information environment: Evidence from Chinese stock markets," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 106-119.
    2. Cheng, Lee-Young & Su, Yi-Chen & Yan, Zhipeng & Zhao, Yan, 2019. "Corporate governance and target price accuracy," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 93-101.
    3. Nooraisah Katmon & Omar Al Farooque, 2017. "Exploring the Impact of Internal Corporate Governance on the Relation Between Disclosure Quality and Earnings Management in the UK Listed Companies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 142(2), pages 345-367, May.
    4. Intan Suryani Abu Bakar & Arifur Khan & Paul Mather & George Tanewski, 2020. "Board monitoring and covenant restrictiveness in private debt contracts during the global financial crisis," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(S1), pages 661-692, April.
    5. Eugster, Nicolas, 2019. "Family firms and financial analyst activity," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    6. Luminita Enache & Antonio Parbonetti & Anup Srivastava, 2020. "Are all outside directors created equal with respect to firm disclosure policy?," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 541-577, August.
    7. Anis Mnif, 2009. "Corporate Governance And Management Earnings Forecast Quality: Evidence From French Ipos," Post-Print halshs-00459171, HAL.
    8. Gary M. Entwistle & Glenn D. Feltham & Chima Mbagwu, 2012. "Credibility Attributes and Investor Perceptions of Non‐GAAP Earnings Exclusions," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), pages 229-257, December.
    9. Nancy Harp & Mark Myring & Rebecca Shortridge, 2014. "Do Variations in the Strength of Corporate Governance Still Matter? A Comparison of the Pre- and Post-Regulation Environment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 122(3), pages 361-373, July.
    10. To, Thomas & Wu, Eliza & Zhao, Diya, 2024. "Global board reforms and corporate acquisition performance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    11. Dak-Adzaklo, Cephas Simon Peter & Wong, Raymond M.K., 2024. "Corporate governance reforms, societal trust, and corporate financial policies," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    12. Hichem Khlif & Kamran Ahmed & Mohsen Souissi, 2017. "Ownership structure and voluntary disclosure: A synthesis of empirical studies," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 42(3), pages 376-403, August.
    13. Balachandran, Balasingham & Duong, Huu Nhan & Luong, Hoang & Nguyen, Lily, 2020. "Does takeover activity affect stock price crash risk? Evidence from international M&A laws," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    14. Lonkani, Ravi, 2019. "Gender differences and managerial earnings forecast bias: Are female executives less overconfident than male executives?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 18-34.
    15. Mohamed Khalil & Aydin Ozkan, 2016. "Board Independence, Audit Quality and Earnings Management: Evidence from Egypt," Journal of Emerging Market Finance, Institute for Financial Management and Research, vol. 15(1), pages 84-118, April.
    16. Lucrezia Songini & Anna Pistoni & Patrizia Tettamanzi & Fabrizio Fratini & Valentina Minutiello, 2022. "Integrated reporting quality and BoD characteristics: an empirical analysis," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 26(2), pages 579-620, June.
    17. Pamela Kent & Jenny Stewart, 2008. "Corporate governance and disclosures on the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 48(4), pages 649-671, December.
    18. Sha, Yezhou & Qiao, Lu & Li, Suyang & Bu, Ziwen, 2021. "Political freedom and earnings management," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    19. Mahmoud Al‐Akra & Ian Eddie & Muhammad Ali, 2010. "The association between privatisation and voluntary disclosure: Evidence from Jordan," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(1), pages 55-74.
    20. Jean J. Chen & Haitao Zhang, 2014. "The Impact of the Corporate Governance Code on Earnings Management – Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 20(3), pages 596-632, June.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:abacus:v:60:y:2024:i:2:p:272-304. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0001-3072 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.