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Empirical evidence of the effect of European accounting differences on the stock market valuation of earnings and book value

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  • Miguel Arce
  • Araceli Mora

Abstract

Recently, a new dimension has been added to research in accounting harmonization by studying the effects of accounting practices and regulations on share price and return movements. Although there is an agreement of mutual recognition in the European stock markets of financial statements adapted to the directives, the differences between the European countries are still great. The objective of this study is to investigate the value relevance of alternative accounting measures (earnings and book value) constructed under different accounting systems in Europe. We investigate the differences in accounting practices through the relationship between earnings and book value, and the stock market value of the firm. The aim of the study is to answer the following three questions: (1) Are there systematic differences in value relevance between earnings and book value across the different European accounting systems? (2) Do book value and earnings convey different information to stock valuation? (3) Are accounting numbers more value relevant in those countries traditionally orientated to market investors? The sample consists of listed firms from eight European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain and the UK). The results obtained could be helpful for the decisions of institutional regulatory bodies since we find evidence of significant differences in the stock market valuation of accounting data not explained by the composition of the sample or macroeconomic factors, but mainly by the differences in reporting philosophies across Europe.

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  • Miguel Arce & Araceli Mora, 2002. "Empirical evidence of the effect of European accounting differences on the stock market valuation of earnings and book value," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 573-599.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:11:y:2002:i:3:p:573-599
    DOI: 10.1080/09638180220125616
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    3. Ballas, Apostolos A. & Hevas, Dimosthenis L., 2005. "Differences in the valuation of earnings and book value: Regulation effects or industry effects?," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 40(4), pages 363-389.
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    15. Imam, Shahed & Chan, Jacky & Shah, Syed Zulfiqar Ali, 2013. "Equity valuation models and target price accuracy in Europe: Evidence from equity reports," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 9-19.
    16. Veith, Stefan & Werner, Jörg R., 2014. "Comparative Value Relevance Studies: Country Differences Versus Specification Effects," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 301-330.
    17. Matthew Wegener & Réal Labelle, 2017. "Value Relevance of Environmental Provisions Pre‐ and Post‐IFRS," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 139-168, September.
    18. Clarkson, Peter & Hanna, J. Douglas & Richardson, Gordon D. & Thompson, Rex, 2011. "The impact of IFRS adoption on the value relevance of book value and earnings," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 7(1), pages 1-17.
    19. Patrick Boisselier & Dominique Dufour, 2007. "Comptabilite Et Valorisation A L'Introduction Sur Alternext (2005-2006)," Post-Print halshs-00544917, HAL.
    20. Gjerde, Øystein & Knivsflå, Kjell Henry & Sættem, Frode, 2005. "The Value Relevance of Financial Reporting on the Oslo Stock Exchange over the Period 1964-2003," Discussion Papers 2005/23, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    21. Tsalavoutas, Ioannis & André, Paul & Evans, Lisa, 2012. "The transition to IFRS and the value relevance of financial statements in Greece," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(4), pages 262-277.
    22. Abdulrahman Alomair & Alan Farley & Helen Hong Yang, 2022. "The impact of IFRS adoption on the value relevance of accounting information in Saudi Arabia," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(2), pages 2839-2878, June.
    23. Karampinis N. & Hevas D., 2009. "The Effect of the Mandatory Application of IFRS on the Value Relevance of Accounting Data: Some Evidence from Greece," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 73-100.
    24. Bruno Ricca & Massimiliano Ferrara & Salvatore Loprevite, 2023. "Searching for an effective accounting-based score of firm performance: a comparative study between different synthesis techniques," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 3575-3602, August.
    25. Zamora Ramírez, Constancio & Moreno Rojas, José & Rueda Torres, Juan Antonio, 2014. "Contabilidad del impuesto sobre beneficios y resultado global: relevancia valorativa en el mercado financiero español," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 174-182.

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