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The impact of earnings expectations on corporate downsizing

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  • Ann‐Christine Schulz
  • Margarethe F. Wiersema

Abstract

Research Summary: We propose that due to financial market pressures, managers are forward‐looking in their search and decision processes and focus on meeting performance targets set by the financial community. Using panel data on S&P 100 companies, we find that pressure felt by management to meet the analyst consensus earnings estimate influences the extent of corporate downsizing. Moreover, our results show that high levels of institutional investor stock ownership and CEO power attenuate managers’ sensitivity to financial market pressures, while high levels of analyst coverage increase their sensitivity. Managerial Summary: In this study we examine how financial market pressures influence managers’ downsizing decisions. We argue that investment analysts’ earnings estimates represent important performance targets to which managers aspire. If firms fail to meet analysts’ expectations, the stock price will suffer. This study shows that managers utilize corporate downsizing to address the potential shortfall between a firm's future performance and the analyst consensus earnings estimate. In addition, we find that managers’ concerns over meeting analysts’ earnings estimates are influenced by various contextual factors such as institutional investor stock ownership, CEO power, and high levels of analyst coverage.

Suggested Citation

  • Ann‐Christine Schulz & Margarethe F. Wiersema, 2018. "The impact of earnings expectations on corporate downsizing," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(10), pages 2691-2702, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:stratm:v:39:y:2018:i:10:p:2691-2702
    DOI: 10.1002/smj.2925
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. John R. Busenbark & Matthew Semadeni & Mathias Arrfelt & Michael C. Withers, 2022. "Corporate‐level influences on internal capital allocation: The role of financial analyst performance projections," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(1), pages 180-209, January.
    3. Lili Ding & Zhongchao Zhao & Lei Wang, 2020. "Executive Incentives Matter for Corporate Social Responsibility under Earnings Pressure and Institutional Investors Supervision," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, March.
    4. Campos-García, Irene & Muñoz-Bullón, Fernando & Sanchez-Bueno, Maria J. & Zúñiga-Vicente, José Angel, 2020. "Exploring the exporting-downsizing link: Does the type of export strategy and firm efficiency in foreign markets matter?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 324-336.

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