IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/pacfin/v86y2024ics0927538x24002221.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mergers and acquisitions comment letters and analysts' earnings forecasts: Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Wan, Liangyong
  • Li, Chen
  • Xu, Rui
  • Zhang, Hao

Abstract

In this study we examine the effect of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) comment letters on the analysts' earnings forecasts in China. Using the M&A data of listed companies between 2014 and 2018 as the main sample, we show that the M&A comment letters can reduce analysts' earnings forecast optimism. Additionally, the impact of the M&A comment letters on analysts' earnings forecast optimism is more pronounced in firms with higher market sentiment and higher conflicts of interest. Finally, the textual characteristics of the M&A comment letters and the classification of questions in the M&A comment letters also influence analysts' earnings forecast optimism. Our research broadens the economic consequences of the M&A comment letters and provides a richer theoretical perspective and empirical evidence to understand the effectiveness of non-penalty regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Wan, Liangyong & Li, Chen & Xu, Rui & Zhang, Hao, 2024. "Mergers and acquisitions comment letters and analysts' earnings forecasts: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:86:y:2024:i:c:s0927538x24002221
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2024.102470
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927538X24002221
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.pacfin.2024.102470?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mehran, Hamid & Stulz, Rene M., 2007. "The economics of conflicts of interest in financial institutions," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(2), pages 267-296, August.
    2. Qiang Cheng & Fei Du & Xin Wang & Yutao Wang, 2016. "Seeing is believing: analysts’ corporate site visits," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1245-1286, December.
    3. Ulrike Malmendier & Devin Shanthikumar, 2014. "Do Security Analysts Speak in Two Tongues?," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 27(5), pages 1287-1322.
    4. Wanyi Chen & Ning Hu & Xiangfang Zhao, 2022. "Information asymmetry, regulatory inquiry, and company mergers and acquisitions: evidence from Shenzhen Stock Exchange comment letters," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(2), pages 2497-2542, June.
    5. Clement, Michael B., 1999. "Analyst forecast accuracy: Do ability, resources, and portfolio complexity matter?," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 285-303, July.
    6. Orie E. Barron & Donal Byard & Yong Yu, 2017. "Earnings Announcement Disclosures and Changes in Analysts' Information," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(1), pages 343-373, March.
    7. Rick Johnston & Reining Petacchi, 2017. "Regulatory Oversight of Financial Reporting: Securities and Exchange Commission Comment Letters," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(2), pages 1128-1155, June.
    8. Hong, Yun & Yao, Youfu, 2024. "Can comment letters impact excess perks? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    9. Hassan Tehranian & Mengxing Zhao & Julie L. Zhu, 2014. "Can Analysts Analyze Mergers?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(4), pages 959-979, April.
    10. Kadan, Ohad & Madureira, Leonardo & Wang, Rong & Zach, Tzachi, 2012. "Analysts' industry expertise," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 95-120.
    11. Stephen V. Brown & Xiaoli (Shaolee) Tian & Jennifer Wu Tucker, 2018. "The Spillover Effect of SEC Comment Letters on Qualitative Corporate Disclosure: Evidence from the Risk Factor Disclosure," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(2), pages 622-656, June.
    12. Jones Heese & Mozaffar Khan & Karthik Ramanna, 2017. "Is the SEC Captured? Evidence from Comment-Letter Reviews," Harvard Business School Working Papers 17-087, Harvard Business School.
    13. Beixin Lin & Rong Yang, 2006. "The effect of repeat restructuring charges on analysts’ forecast revisions and accuracy," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 267-283, November.
    14. Terence Lim, 2001. "Rationality and Analysts' Forecast Bias," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 56(1), pages 369-385, February.
    15. Xu, Nianhang & Chan, Kam C. & Jiang, Xuanyu & Yi, Zhihong, 2013. "Do star analysts know more firm-specific information? Evidence from China," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 89-102.
    16. Hu, Ning & Xu, Jiayi & Xue, Shuang, 2022. "Mandatory disclosure of comment letters and analysts' forecasts," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    17. Bret A. Johnson & Ling Lei Lisic & Joon Seok Moon & Mengmeng Wang, 2023. "SEC comment letters on form S-4 and M&A accounting quality," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 862-909, June.
    18. Heese, Jonas & Khan, Mozaffar & Ramanna, Karthik, 2017. "Is the SEC captured? Evidence from comment-letter reviews," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(1), pages 98-122.
    19. Chaney, Paul K. & Hogan, Chris E. & Jeter, Debra C., 1999. "The effect of reporting restructuring charges on analysts' forecast revisions and errors," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 261-284, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Longhao Xu & Zhijian James Huang & Fenghua Wen, 2022. "Comment letters and stock price synchronicity: evidence from China," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1387-1421, November.
    2. Han, Mengrui & Ying, Qianwei & Huang, Li, 2023. "Firms’ delayed replies and investor confidence: Evidence from M&A comment letters in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    3. Zhang, Chao & Shrider, David G. & Han, Dun & Wu, Yanran, 2022. "Accurate forecasts attract clients; Biased forecasts keep them happy," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Shanshan Pan & Michael Lacina & Haeyoung Shin, 2019. "Income Classification Shifting and Financial Analysts’ Forecasts," Review of Pacific Basin Financial Markets and Policies (RPBFMP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 22(02), pages 1-48, June.
    5. James P. Ryans, 2021. "Textual classification of SEC comment letters," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 37-80, March.
    6. Kumar, Alok & Rantala, Ville & Xu, Rosy, 2022. "Social learning and analyst behavior," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(1), pages 434-461.
    7. Koulikidou, Kleopatra & Chantziaras, Antonios & Dedoulis, Emmanouil & Leventis, Stergios, 2023. "Regulatory enforcement, foreignness, and language negativity: Evidence from SEC comment letters," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    8. Hills, Robert & Kubic, Matthew & Mayew, William J., 2021. "State sponsors of terrorism disclosure and SEC financial reporting oversight," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(1).
    9. Hu, Ning & Xu, Jiayi & Xue, Shuang, 2022. "Mandatory disclosure of comment letters and analysts' forecasts," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    10. Chantziaras, Antonios & Koulikidou, Kleopatra & Leventis, Stergios, 2021. "The power of words in capital markets: SEC comment letters on foreign issuers and the impact of home country enforcement," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    11. Hong, Yun & Yao, Youfu, 2024. "Can comment letters impact excess perks? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    12. Miguel Duro & Jonas Heese & Gaizka Ormazabal, 2019. "The effect of enforcement transparency: Evidence from SEC comment-letter reviews," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 780-823, September.
    13. Matthew Ege & Jennifer L. Glenn & John R. Robinson, 2020. "Unexpected SEC Resource Constraints and Comment Letter Quality†," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(1), pages 33-67, March.
    14. Juyoun Ryoo & Cheolwoo Lee & Jin Q Jeon, 2020. "Sustainability of Analyst Recommendations in Multiple Lead Underwriter IPOs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-36, March.
    15. Jin, Han & Mazouz, Khelifa & Wu, Yuliang & Xu, Bin, 2023. "Can star analysts make superior coverage decisions in poor information environment?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    16. Hou, Qingsong & Li, Weifang & Teng, Min & Hu, May, 2022. "Just a short-lived glory?The effect of China's anti-corruption on the accuracy of analyst earnings forecasts," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    17. Régis BRETON & Sébastien GALANTI & Christophe HURLIN & Anne-Gaël VAUBOURG, 2011. "Does the firm-analyst relationship matter in explaining analysts' earnings forecast errors?," LEO Working Papers / DR LEO 469, Orleans Economics Laboratory / Laboratoire d'Economie d'Orleans (LEO), University of Orleans.
    18. Ormazabal, Gaizka, 2018. "The Role of Stakeholders in Corporate Governance: A View from Accounting Research," CEPR Discussion Papers 12775, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    19. Pacelli, Joseph, 2019. "Corporate culture and analyst catering⁎," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 120-143.
    20. Xu, Nianhang & Jiang, Xuanyu & Chan, Kam C. & Yi, Zhihong, 2013. "Analyst coverage, optimism, and stock price crash risk: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 217-239.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:86:y:2024:i:c:s0927538x24002221. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/pacfin .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.