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The Information Content of Stock Prices, Legal Environments, and Accounting Standards: International Evidence

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  • Jacqueline Wenjie Wang
  • Wayne W. Yu

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the impact of accounting standards on the information content of stock prices using a sample of 44 countries from around the world. We find that the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards or US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles per se does not make stock prices more informative, but that better accounting standards are helpful only in countries having effective legal environments. In particular, we find a significantly negative relationship between stock price synchronicity and the quality of accounting standards in countries with a common-law legal origin and generally better shareholder protection. Our findings are consistent with the theoretical prediction in Zhang [(2013). Accounting standards, cost of capital, resource allocation, and welfare in a large economy. The Accounting Review , 88 (4), 1459-1488] that improving accounting standards effectively would increase social welfare in general.

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  • Jacqueline Wenjie Wang & Wayne W. Yu, 2015. "The Information Content of Stock Prices, Legal Environments, and Accounting Standards: International Evidence," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 471-493, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:24:y:2015:i:3:p:471-493
    DOI: 10.1080/09638180.2014.977802
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patrick J. Kelly, 2014. "Information Efficiency and Firm-Specific Return Variation," Quarterly Journal of Finance (QJF), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 4(04), pages 1-44.
    2. Beuselinck, C.A.C. & Joos, P.P.M. & Khurana, I.K. & van der Meulen, S., 2010. "Mandatory IFRS Reporting and Stock Price Informativeness," Other publications TiSEM ef72d273-639c-41d8-9c5c-5, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Marks, Joseph & Yezegel, Ari, 2018. "Do aggregate analyst recommendations predict market returns in international markets?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 234-254.
    3. Joachim Gassen & Hollis A. Skaife & David Veenman, 2020. "Illiquidity and the Measurement of Stock Price Synchronicity," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(1), pages 419-456, March.
    4. Li, Xiaoqing & Qiao, Penghua & Zhao, Lin, 2019. "CEO media exposure, political connection and Chinese firms' stock price synchronicity," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 61-75.
    5. Mohammad Issa Almaharmeh & Hamzah Al-Mawali & Ghassan Obeidat, 2018. "Mandatory IFRS Adoption and Analyst Coverage: Evidence from the UK," Modern Applied Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(11), pages 435-435, November.
    6. Shruti, R. & Thenmozhi, M., 2023. "Founder ownership and value relevance of IFRS convergence: Role of institutional investors," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    7. Cho, Meeok & Kim, Sehee & Kim, Yewon & Lee, Bryan Byung-Hee & Lee, Woo-Jong, 2021. "IFRS adoption and stock misvaluation: Implication to Korea discount," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    8. Nicholas Addai Boamah, 2021. "Integration, investor protection rules and global informational inefficiency of emerging financial markets," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(6), pages 1-22, June.
    9. Bruno Figlioli & Rafael Moreira Antonio & Fabiano Guasti Lima, 2019. "Stock Price Synchronicity and Current and Potential Credit Ratings," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, October.
    10. Mohammad Issa Almaharmeh & Ra’ed Masa’deh, 2018. "Mandatory IFRS Adoption and Earnings Quality: Evidence from the UK," Modern Applied Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(11), pages 197-197, November.
    11. Cheng, Louis T.W. & Wang, Jacqueline Wenjie, 2021. "Equity ownership and corporate transparency: International evidence," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 143-165.
    12. Tao Chen & Robert K. Larson & Han Mo, 2024. "Investor Herding and Price Informativeness in Global Markets: Evidence from Earnings Announcements," Journal of Behavioral Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(1), pages 92-110, January.
    13. Chen Chen & M. Mahdi Moeini Gharagozloo & Layla Darougar & Lei Shi, 2022. "The way digitalization is impacting international financial markets: Stock price synchronicity," International Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(3), pages 396-415, December.
    14. Dreher, Sandra & Eichfelder, Sebastian & Noth, Felix, 2022. "Does IFRS information on tax loss carryforwards and negative performance improve predictions of earnings and cash flows?," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 276, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
    15. Fung, Ka Wai Terence & Demir, Ender & Lau, Chi Keung Marco & Chan, Kwok Ho, 2015. "Reexamining sports-sentiment hypothesis: Microeconomic evidences from Borsa Istanbul," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 337-355.

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