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The effects of MiFID II on sell-side analysts, buy-side analysts, and firms

Author

Listed:
  • Bingxu Fang

    (University of Toronto)

  • Ole-Kristian Hope

    (University of Toronto
    BI Norwegian Business School)

  • Zhongwei Huang

    (University of London)

  • Rucsandra Moldovan

    (Concordia University)

Abstract

This paper provides early but broad empirical evidence on MiFID II, which requires investment firms to unbundle investment research from other costs they charge to clients. Employing difference-in-differences matched-sample research designs with firm fixed effects, we find a decrease in the number of sell-side analysts covering European firms after MiFID II implementation, particularly for firms that are less important to the sell-side. However, research quality improves; specifically, individual analyst forecasts are more accurate and stock recommendations garner greater market reactions. In addition, sell-side analysts seem to cater more to the buy-side after MiFID II by providing industry recommendations along with stock recommendations. Importantly, we predict and find evidence that buy-side investment firms turn to more in-house research after MiFID II implementation. Equally interesting, buy-side analysts increase their participation and engagement in earnings conference calls, compared to the control group. We find some evidence that stock-market liquidity decreases post MiFID II.

Suggested Citation

  • Bingxu Fang & Ole-Kristian Hope & Zhongwei Huang & Rucsandra Moldovan, 2020. "The effects of MiFID II on sell-side analysts, buy-side analysts, and firms," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 855-902, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:25:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s11142-020-09545-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-020-09545-w
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    7. Anselmi, Giulio & Petrella, Giovanni, 2021. "Regulation and stock market quality: The impact of MiFID II provision on research unbundling," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    8. Di Maggio, Marco & Egan, Mark & Franzoni, Francesco, 2022. "The value of intermediation in the stock market," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 145(2), pages 208-233.
    9. Guo, Yifeng & Mota, Lira, 2021. "Should information be sold separately? Evidence from MiFID II," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(1), pages 97-126.
    10. Fröberg, Emelie & Halling, Michael, 2024. "Do investors benefit from MiFID II unbundling?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    11. Joana Almeida & Raquel M. Gaspar, 2023. "Portfolio Performance of European Target Prices," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-28, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    MiFID II; Financial services; Sell-side analysts; Buy-side research; Unbundling; Hard dollar; Europe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G00 - Financial Economics - - General - - - General
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • K00 - Law and Economics - - General - - - General (including Data Sources and Description)
    • L50 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - General
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • M20 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - General
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting
    • M48 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • M49 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Other

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