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The Effects of Uncertainty on the Informativeness of Earnings: Evidence from the Insurance Industry in the Wake of Catastrophic Events

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  • Theodore E. Christensen

Abstract

This study examines the effects of uncertainty associated with large‐scale catastrophes on the informativeness of earnings announcements by property and casualty insurers. It contributes to the literature on the effects of uncertainty on the informativeness of earnings announcements by distinguishing between: (1) uncertainty due to exogenous events that obscure the firm’s future prospects, and (2) uncertainty due to noise in earnings. Results suggest that heightened uncertainty associated with exposure to catastrophe losses is significantly positively associated with the market’s response to earnings reports, even after controlling for uncertainty due to noise in earnings. This implies that during periods of high uncertainty, investors find earnings information more useful in assessing the future prospects of the firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Theodore E. Christensen, 2002. "The Effects of Uncertainty on the Informativeness of Earnings: Evidence from the Insurance Industry in the Wake of Catastrophic Events," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1‐2), pages 223-255.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jbfnac:v:29:y:2002:i:1-2:p:223-255
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-5957.00430
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    Cited by:

    1. Chia‐Chun Chiang & Hugh Hoikwang Kim & Greg Niehaus, 2022. "Opaque liabilities, learning, and the cost of equity capital for insurers," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 89(4), pages 1031-1076, December.
    2. Carter, David A. & Simkins, Betty J., 2004. "The market's reaction to unexpected, catastrophic events: the case of airline stock returns and the September 11th attacks," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 539-558, September.
    3. Theodore E. Christensen & Toni Q. Smith & Pamela S. Stuerke, 2004. "Public Predisclosure Information, Firm Size, Analyst Following, and Market Reactions to Earnings Announcements," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7‐8), pages 951-984, September.
    4. Theodore E. Christensen & Jennifer J. Gaver & Pamela S. Stuerke, 2005. "The Relation Between Investor Uncertainty and Market Reactions to Earnings Announcements: Evidence from the Property-Casualty Insurance Industry in the USA," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1-2), pages 1-29.
    5. Mouri, Nacef & Sarkar, M.B. & Frye, Melissa, 2012. "Alliance portfolios and shareholder value in post-IPO firms: The moderating roles of portfolio structure and firm-level uncertainty," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 355-371.
    6. Theodore E. Christensen & Toni Q. Smith & Pamela S. Stuerke, 2004. "Public Predisclosure Information, Firm Size, Analyst Following, and Market Reactions to Earnings Announcements," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7-8), pages 951-984.
    7. Kleidt Benjamin & Schiereck Dirk & Sigl-Grueb Christof, 2009. "Rationality at the Eve of Destruction: Insurance Stocks and Huge Catastrophic Events," Journal of Business Valuation and Economic Loss Analysis, De Gruyter, vol. 4(2), pages 1-27, April.
    8. Theodore E. Christensen & Jennifer J. Gaver & Pamela S. Stuerke, 2005. "The Relation Between Investor Uncertainty and Market Reactions to Earnings Announcements: Evidence from the Property‐Casualty Insurance Industry in the USA," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1‐2), pages 1-29, January.
    9. Andrew B. Jackson & Chao Li & Richard D. Morris, 2020. "Earnings Co‐movements and the Informativeness of Earnings," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 56(3), pages 295-319, September.
    10. Sanan Mukhtarov & Martijn Schoute & Jacco L. Wielhouwer, 2022. "The information content of the Solvency II ratio relative to earnings," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 89(1), pages 237-266, March.

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