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Inside the “black box” of private in-house meetings

Author

Listed:
  • Robert M. Bowen

    (University of San Diego
    University of Washington)

  • Shantanu Dutta

    (University of Ottawa)

  • Songlian Tang

    (East China University of Science and Technology)

  • Pengcheng Zhu

    (University of San Diego)

Abstract

We examine information content and related insider trading around private in-house meetings between corporate insiders and investors and analysts. We use a hand-collected dataset of approximately 17,000 private meeting summary reports of Shenzhen Stock Exchange firms over 2012–2014. We find that these private meetings are informative and corporate insiders conducted over one-half of their stock sales (totaling $8.7 billion) around these meetings. Some insiders time their transactions and earn substantial gains by selling (purchasing) relatively more shares before bad (good) news disclosures while postponing selling (purchasing) when good (bad) news is to be disclosed in the meeting. Finally, we conduct a content analysis of published meeting summary reports and find that the tone in these reports is associated with stock market reactions around (1) private meetings themselves, (2) subsequent public release of private meeting details, (3) subsequent earnings announcements and (4) future stock performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert M. Bowen & Shantanu Dutta & Songlian Tang & Pengcheng Zhu, 2018. "Inside the “black box” of private in-house meetings," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 487-527, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:23:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s11142-017-9433-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-017-9433-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Huacheng Wang & Kangtao Ye & Kai Zhong, 2018. "Accounting research in China: commemorating the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-37, December.
    2. Li, Haoyang & Yang, Mingjing & Chan, Kam C. & Gao, Shenghao, 2022. "Do institutional investors’ corporate site visits impact seasoned equity offering discounts? Evidence from detailed investor bids in SEO auctions," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    3. Lu, Hai & Shin, Jee-Eun & Zhang, Mingyue, 2023. "Financial reporting and disclosure practices in China," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 76(1).
    4. Lu, Jing & Chen, Rongze, 2023. "Do individual investors pay attention to the information acquisition activities of institutional investors?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    5. Dong, Dayong & Yue, Sishi & Cao, Jiawei, 2020. "Site visit information content and return predictability: Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).

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