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Analyst Following, Environmental Disclosure and Cost of Equity: Research Based on Industry Classification

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  • Sheng Yao

    (School of Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Haotian Liang

    (School of Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

Abstract

Prior studies argue that an analyst is an important mediator between a firm and investors, and has a significant influence on the cost of equity. However, how analyst following influences the cost of equity has not been studied in depth. In the Chinese setting, where environmental information has attracted much attention, we explore the interaction among analyst following, environmental information disclosure, and cost of equity. With two linear regression methods of ordinary least squares (OLS) and two-Stage least squares (2SLS), we establish regressions to verify the relationships among them by using empirical data from 2004 to 2011 in China. The results show that analyst following can improve environmental information disclosure and lower the cost of equity. This interaction is more significant in the heavy-pollution industry and after new environmental policy is issued. We also find that environmental disclosure has a mediating effect, which determines how analyst following influences the cost of equity. The results expand the research on environmental information’s motivations and economic consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheng Yao & Haotian Liang, 2019. "Analyst Following, Environmental Disclosure and Cost of Equity: Research Based on Industry Classification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:300-:d:196044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew Osei Agyemang & Kong Yusheng & Angelina Kissiwaa Twum & Emmanuel Caesar Ayamba & Maxwell Kongkuah & Mohammed Musah, 2021. "Trend and relationship between environmental accounting disclosure and environmental performance for mining companies listed in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 12192-12216, August.
    2. Renato Garzón-Jiménez & Ana Zorio-Grima, 2021. "Effects of Carbon Emissions, Environmental Disclosures and CSR Assurance on Cost of Equity in Emerging Markets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, January.
    3. Nana Liu & Chuanzhe Liu & Quan Guo & Bowen Da & Linna Guan & Huiying Chen, 2019. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance: A Quantile Regression Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-22, July.
    4. Shiliang Hu & Wenhao Dong & Yongchun Huang, 2023. "Analysts’ Green Coverage and Corporate Green Innovation in China: The Moderating Effect of Corporate Environmental Information Disclosure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, March.
    5. Xiaopeng Wang & Xueyao Shen & Yongliang Yang, 2020. "Does Environmental Information Disclosure Make Firms’ Investments More Efficient? Evidence from Measure 2007 of Chinese A-Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, March.

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