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Beauty is wealth: CEO attractiveness and firm value

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  • Joseph T. Halford
  • Hung‐Chia S. Hsu

Abstract

This paper examines whether and how CEO attractiveness relates to firm value. We construct a Facial Attractiveness Index of 667 CEOs based on their facial geometry. More attractive CEOs are associated with better stock returns surrounding their job announcements and around earnings‐announcement news with CEOs' images. Further, more attractive CEOs are related to higher acquirer returns following acquisition announcements and higher Tobin's Q. Finally, consistent with the existing literature documenting the beauty premium in pay, more attractive CEOs receive higher compensation.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph T. Halford & Hung‐Chia S. Hsu, 2020. "Beauty is wealth: CEO attractiveness and firm value," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 55(4), pages 529-556, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:finrev:v:55:y:2020:i:4:p:529-556
    DOI: 10.1111/fire.12234
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Ronen, Joshua & Ronen, Tavy & Zhou, Mi (Jamie) & Gans, Susan E., 2023. "The informational role of imagery in financial decision making: A new approach," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    3. Chen, Yuzhou & Sealy, Chezham L. & Swanquist, Quinn T. & Whited, Robert L., 2024. "Audit partner facial traits, gender, and career outcomes," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    4. Karel Hrazdil & Jiyuan Li & Gerald Lobo & Ray Zhang, 2024. "CFO facial beauty and bank loan contracting," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 64(1), pages 975-1009, March.
    5. Wen Shi & Xiaogang Bi & Agyenim Boateng & Shuai Yuan, 2023. "Chairperson (CEO) facial structure and risky investments: evidence from Chinese acquisitions," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 61(4), pages 1177-1205, November.
    6. Francesco Rocciolo & Andrea Gheno & Chris Brooks, 2024. "CEO overcaution and capital structure choices," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 59(3), pages 719-743, August.
    7. Huang, Xing & Ivković, Zoran & Jiang, John Xuefeng & Wang, Isabel Yanyan, 2023. "Angel investment and first impressions," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(2), pages 161-178.

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