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Managerial ability, forecasting quality, and open-market repurchase program completion

Author

Listed:
  • Jian Cao

    (Florida Atlantic University)

  • Yun Cheng

    (University of West Georgia)

  • Joanna Golden

    (The University of Memphis)

  • Joseph H. Zhang

    (The University of Memphis)

Abstract

Prior research suggests that managers often fail to complete announced open market repurchase (OMR) plans due to uncertainty in the firm’s future cash flows. Although high-ability managers should manage cash flows more effectively to complete share reacquisitions, there is little evidence to support this idea. This paper investigates whether CEOs with superior ability to efficiently manage corporate resources are associated with higher OMR completion rates. Our main findings are that OMR program completion rates increase with managerial ability and that the association is further moderated by the quality of management earnings forecasts. Cross-sectional analyses indicate that the positive associations are more pronounced in firms with higher cash flow volatility and fewer rent extraction opportunities. Our results imply that the repurchase completion rate is potentially an observable signal of managers’ broader ability to forecast and adapt to uncertain cash flows during the repurchase period.

Suggested Citation

  • Jian Cao & Yun Cheng & Joanna Golden & Joseph H. Zhang, 2019. "Managerial ability, forecasting quality, and open-market repurchase program completion," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 871-894, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:53:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11156-018-0769-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11156-018-0769-7
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    4. Puspita Ghaniy Anggraini & Mahfud Sholihin, 2023. "What do we know about managerial ability? A systematic literature review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 73(1), pages 1-30, February.

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