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Real Earnings Management and Information Asymmetry in the Equity Market

Author

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  • David Abad
  • M. Fuensanta Cutillas-Gomariz
  • Juan Pedro Sánchez-Ballesta
  • José Yagüe

Abstract

The literature suggests that real earnings management (REM) activities can increase adverse selection risk in capital markets. Due to their opacity and the difficulties in understanding their implications, REM strategies may increase the level of information asymmetry among investors. This paper examines the association between earnings management through real activities manipulation and information asymmetry in the equity market. To estimate the level of adverse selection risk we use a comprehensive index of information asymmetry measures proposed by the market microstructure literature. For a sample of Spanish listed firms, we find that firms’ strategies of increasing earnings through REM are associated with higher information asymmetry in those firms that meet last year’s earnings. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that earnings management through real activities manipulation garbles the market, enhances private information production, and exacerbates information asymmetry in the stock market.

Suggested Citation

  • David Abad & M. Fuensanta Cutillas-Gomariz & Juan Pedro Sánchez-Ballesta & José Yagüe, 2018. "Real Earnings Management and Information Asymmetry in the Equity Market," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(2), pages 209-235, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:27:y:2018:i:2:p:209-235
    DOI: 10.1080/09638180.2016.1261720
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    Cited by:

    1. Peterson K. Ozili & Thankom G. Arun, 2023. "What drives bank income smoothing? Evidence from Africa," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(3), pages 274-295, September.
    2. Bhuiyan, Md. Borhan Uddin & Sangchan, Pinprapa & Costa, Mabel D', 2022. "Do Co-opted boards affect the cost of equity capital?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    3. Xiaodong Teng & Kun-Shan Wu & Lopin Kuo & Bao-Guang Chang, 2023. "Investigating the double-edged sword effect of environmental, social and governance practices on corporate risk-taking in the high-tech industry," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 14(2), pages 511-549, June.
    4. Belal Ali Abdulraheem Ghaleb & Shaker Dahan Al-Duais & Abdulwahid Ahmed Hashed, 2021. "Audit Committee Chair s Legal Expertise and Real Activities Manipulation: Empirical Evidence from Malaysian Energy and Utilities Sectors," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(1), pages 65-73.
    5. Elmawazini, Khaled & Galariotis, Emilios & Hossain, Ashrafee T. & Rjiba, Hatem, 2024. "Federal judge ideology and real earnings management," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    6. Gao, Yihong & Pan, Xingyu & Ye, Qiaoyan, 2023. "Corporate governance effects of state asset protection: A perspective on real earnings management," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    7. Ozili, Peterson K, 2023. "What drives Bank Income Smoothing? Evidence from Africa," MPRA Paper 116410, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Nguyen, Quynh & Kim, Maria H. & Ali, Searat, 2024. "Corporate governance and earnings management: Evidence from Vietnamese listed firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 775-801.
    9. Ahsan Habib & Dinithi Ranasinghe & Julia Yonghua Wu & Pallab Kumar Biswas & Fawad Ahmad, 2022. "Real earnings management: A review of the international literature," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(4), pages 4279-4344, December.
    10. Jifan Hu & Yeyao Tang & Na Yin & Xiang Guo, 2024. "Institutional Investor Information Competition and Accounting Information Transparency: Implications for Financial Markets and Corporate Governance in China," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 9629-9666, June.
    11. Ding, Mingfa & Shen, Mi & Suardi, Sandy, 2022. "Blockholders, tradability and information asymmetry: Evidence from Chinese listed firms," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    12. Songsheng Chen & Jun Guo & Qingqing Liu & Xiaoxiao Tong, 2021. "The impact of XBRL on real earnings management: unexpected consequences of the XBRL implementation in China," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 56(2), pages 479-504, February.
    13. Devos, Erik & Huang, Jianning & Zhou, Fuzhao, 2021. "The effects of corporate name changes on firm information environment and earnings management," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    14. Vo, Nguyen Ngoc Thao & Nguyen, Thai Vu Hong & Phan, Duc Hong Thi, 2022. "Earnings management and bank risk-taking behavior in Asia-Pacific region," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    15. Liu, Duan & Wang, Lili & Yan, Jing & Wan, Hong, 2023. "R&D manipulation and SEO pricing in the Chinese capital market: The information effect of inefficient investment," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    16. Xiao Li & Gang Liu & Qinghua Fu & Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman & Abdelrhman Meero & Muhammad Safdar Sial, 2022. "Does Corporate Social Responsibility Impact on Corporate Risk-Taking? Evidence from Emerging Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-26, January.
    17. GuoHua Cao & WenJun Geng & Jing Zhang & Qi Li, 2023. "Financial constraints, short selling and corporate fraud: Evidence from China," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 297-320, June.

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