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Core earnings: New data and evidence

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  • Rouen, Ethan
  • So, Eric C.
  • Wang, Charles C.Y.

Abstract

Using a novel dataset, we show that components of firms’ GAAP earnings stemming from ancillary business activities or transitory shocks are significant in frequency and magnitude. These components have grown over time and are dispersed across various sections of the 10-K. Excluding them from GAAP earnings yields a core earnings measure that distinguishes between the recurring and non-recurring components of net income and forecasts future performance. Analysts and market participants are slow to impound these earnings components’ implications, particularly the amounts disclosed in the footnotes. Trading strategies that exploit non-core earnings produce abnormal returns of 8% per year.

Suggested Citation

  • Rouen, Ethan & So, Eric C. & Wang, Charles C.Y., 2021. "Core earnings: New data and evidence," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(3), pages 1068-1091.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:142:y:2021:i:3:p:1068-1091
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2021.04.025
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Core earnings; Transitory earnings; Non-operating earnings; Quantitative disclosures; Information processing; Fundamental analysis; Valuation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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