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The accrual anomaly in the U.K. stock market: Implications of growth and accounting distortions

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  • Doukakis, Leonidas C.
  • Papanastasopoulos, Georgios A.

Abstract

On the basis of an accrual decomposition into two components capturing output growth and accounting distortions, this paper analyzes the effects of accounting accruals on firms’ future performance in the U.K. stock market. Findings reveal a strong negative association of accruals with future profitability and stock returns. The effect of accruals on future earnings performance is driven only by the component attributable to accounting distortions, and the accrual effect on stock price performance is driven by both the component attributable to accounting distortions and the component attributable to growth. These two components complement each other in driving the accrual effect on stock returns.

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  • Doukakis, Leonidas C. & Papanastasopoulos, Georgios A., 2014. "The accrual anomaly in the U.K. stock market: Implications of growth and accounting distortions," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 256-277.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intfin:v:32:y:2014:i:c:p:256-277
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intfin.2014.06.006
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    Cited by:

    1. Papanastasopoulos, Georgios A. & Tsiritakis, Emmanuel, 2015. "The accrual anomaly in Europe: The role of accounting distortions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 176-185.
    2. Papanastasopoulos, Georgios, 2017. "Accrual anomaly and corporate financing activities," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 125-129.
    3. Prodosh Simlai, 2021. "Accrual mispricing, value-at-risk, and expected stock returns," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 1487-1517, November.
    4. Papanastasopoulos, Georgios A., 2015. "Accruals, growth, accounting distortions and stock returns: The case of FRS3 in the UK," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 33(C), pages 39-54.
    5. Artikis, Panagiotis G. & Diamantopoulou, Lydia & Papanastasopoulos, Georgios A. & Sorros, John N., 2022. "Asset growth and stock returns in european equity markets: Implications of investment and accounting distortions," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    6. Khasawneh, Maher & McMillan, David G. & Kambouroudis, Dimos, 2024. "Left-tail risk and UK stock return predictability: Underreaction, overreaction, and arbitrage difficulties," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Accruals; Growth; Accounting distortions; Profitability; Stock returns;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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