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Corporate Disclosure as a Tacit Coordination Mechanism: Evidence from Cartel Enforcement Regulations

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  • THOMAS BOURVEAU
  • GUOMAN SHE
  • ALMINAS ŽALDOKAS

Abstract

We empirically study how collusion in product markets affects firms' financial disclosure strategies. We find that after a rise in cartel enforcement, U.S. firms start sharing more detailed information in their financial disclosure about their customers, contracts, and products. This new information potentially benefits peers by helping to tacitly coordinate actions in product markets. Indeed, changes in disclosure are associated with higher future profitability. Our results highlight the potential conflict between securities and antitrust regulations.

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  • Thomas Bourveau & Guoman She & Alminas Žaldokas, 2020. "Corporate Disclosure as a Tacit Coordination Mechanism: Evidence from Cartel Enforcement Regulations," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(2), pages 295-332, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:joares:v:58:y:2020:i:2:p:295-332
    DOI: 10.1111/1475-679X.12301
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    5. Christoph Feichter & Frank Moers & Oscar Timmermans, 2022. "Relative Performance Evaluation and Competitive Aggressiveness," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(5), pages 1859-1913, December.
    6. Kepler, John D., 2021. "Private communication among competitors and public disclosure," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(2).
    7. Amore, Mario Daniele & Marzano, Riccardo, 2019. "Family Ownership and Antitrust Violations," CEPR Discussion Papers 14018, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Ferracuti, Elia & Stubben, Stephen R., 2019. "The role of financial reporting in resolving uncertainty about corporate investment opportunities," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(2).
    9. Kim, Incheol & Lee, Suin & Sharma, Bina, 2023. "Competition law reform and firm performance: Evidence from developing countries," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    10. Bloomfield, Matthew J. & Heinle, Mirko & Timmermans, Oscar, 2024. "Relative performance evaluation and strategic peer-harming disclosures," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 122509, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    11. Yuan, Dongliang & Shang, Duo & Ma, Yufei & Li, Dehui, 2022. "The Spillover Effects of Peer Annual Report Tone for Firm Innovation Investment: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    12. Dou, Winston Wei & Ji, Yan & Wu, Wei, 2021. "Competition, profitability, and discount rates," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(2), pages 582-620.
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