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Textual classification of SEC comment letters

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  • James P. Ryans

    (London Business School)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of SEC comment letters on future financial reporting outcomes and earnings credibility. Naïve Bayesian classification identifies comment letters associated with future restatements and write-downs. An investor attention-based quantitative measure of importance, using EDGAR downloads, also predicts these outcomes. Disclosure-event abnormal returns, revenue recognition comments, and the number of letters in a conversation appear to be useful quantitative metrics for classifying importance in certain settings. This study also documents trends in comment letter topics over time and identifies topics associated with the textual and quantitative classifications of importance, providing insights into the factors that draw investor attention and that relate to future restatements and write-downs. Innocuous comment letters are associated with improvements in earnings credibility following comment letter reviews.

Suggested Citation

  • James P. Ryans, 2021. "Textual classification of SEC comment letters," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 37-80, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:26:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11142-020-09565-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-020-09565-6
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    2. Hou, Chenxue & Wang, Qijian, 2023. "CSRC oral communication and corporate disclosure," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Li, Ken, 2022. "Textual fundamentals in earnings press releases," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    4. Xunan Feng & Dengxi Wei, 2024. "Political ranking in hierarchy and receipt of a comment letter: Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 64(1), pages 277-307, March.
    5. Lu, Jing & Qiu, Yuhang, 2023. "Does non-punitive regulation diminish stock price crash risk?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    6. Marshall A. Geiger & Bret Johnson & Keith L. Jones & Abdullah Kumas, 2022. "Information Leakage Around SEC Comment Letters," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(11), pages 8449-8463, November.
    7. 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.
    8. 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).
    9. Yewei Wu & Bofu Zhang, 2023. "Inquiry Letters and Tax Aggressiveness," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 31(4), pages 37-65, July.

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