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Non‐Answers During Conference Calls

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  • IAN D. GOW
  • DAVID F. LARCKER
  • ANASTASIA A. ZAKOLYUKINA

Abstract

We construct a novel measure of disclosure choice by firms. Our measure is computed using linguistic analysis of conference calls to identify whether a manager's response to an analyst question is a “non‐answer.” Using our measure, about 11% of analyst questions elicit non‐answers from managers, a rate that is stable over time and similar across industries. A useful feature of our measure is that it enables an examination of disclosure choice within a call. Analyst questions with a negative tone, greater uncertainty, greater complexity, or requests for greater detail are more likely to trigger non‐answers. We find performance‐related questions tend to be associated with non‐answers, and this association is weaker when performance news is favorable. We also find analyst questions about proprietary information are associated with non‐answers, and this association is stronger when firm competition is more intense.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian D. Gow & David F. Larcker & Anastasia A. Zakolyukina, 2021. "Non‐Answers During Conference Calls," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(4), pages 1349-1384, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:joares:v:59:y:2021:i:4:p:1349-1384
    DOI: 10.1111/1475-679X.12371
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    2. Mansouri, Sasan, 2021. "Does firm's silence drive media's attention away?," VfS Annual Conference 2021 (Virtual Conference): Climate Economics 242433, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. Xie, Nan & Xu, Qifa & Jiang, Cuixia & Yang, Shanlin, 2023. "The determinants and consequences of firms’ boilerplate answers: Evidence from online interactive platforms in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    4. Shen, Lingbo, 2022. "Essays on behavioral finance and corporate finance," Other publications TiSEM a9b98a25-a208-4ba6-9344-9, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    5. Xiao, Lin & Ye, Yong & Luo, Runmei, 2023. "The diligent effect of investor relation officers in conference calls: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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