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Earnings characteristics and analysts’ differential interpretation of earnings announcements: An empirical analysis

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  • Anwer S. Ahmed
  • Minsup Song
  • Douglas E. Stevens

Abstract

This study provides empirical evidence on factors that drive differential interpretation of earnings announcements. We document that Kandel and Pearson's forecast measures of differential interpretation are decreasing in proxies for earnings quality and pre‐announcement information quality. This evidence yields new and useful insights regarding which earnings announcements are less likely to generate newfound disagreement among analysts and investors. Recent research suggests that investor disagreement can increase investment risk, increase the cost of capital, and cause stock prices to deviate from fundamental value. Therefore, our results support prior intuition that increasing the quality of earnings and pre‐announcement information can improve the efficiency of capital markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Anwer S. Ahmed & Minsup Song & Douglas E. Stevens, 2009. "Earnings characteristics and analysts’ differential interpretation of earnings announcements: An empirical analysis," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(2), pages 223-246, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:49:y:2009:i:2:p:223-246
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-629X.2008.00292.x
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    2. Xuguang Sheng & Maya Thevenot, 2013. "Differential Interpretation of Public Information: Estimation and Inference," Working Papers 2013-03, American University, Department of Economics.
    3. Sanjay Sehgal & Kumar Bijoy, 2015. "Stock Price Reactions to Earnings Announcements: Evidence from India," Vision, , vol. 19(1), pages 25-36, March.
    4. D’Augusta, Carlo & De Vito, Antonio & Grossetti, Francesco, 2023. "Words and numbers: A disagreement story from post-earnings announcement return and volume patterns," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).

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