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Readability of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Corporate Bond Yield Spread

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  • Tsung-Kang Chen
  • Yijie Tseng

Abstract

We examine the association between the readability of ‘Notes to consolidated financial statements’ (Notes) in annual reports and corporate bond yield spread. We find that less readable narrative disclosure of Notes is significantly associated with greater bond yield spread. In addition, the association becomes stronger for firms in high-tech sectors or those with higher equity volatility, whereas it becomes weaker for firms with higher profitability or those with the reporting location of Notes being outside of the 10-K format file. We also provide evidence that Notes readability is helpful in explaining the puzzle of a positive yield spread always appearing when the bond approaches its maturity in practice. Overall, our results suggest that the Notes readability has a substantial association with bond yield spread and its term structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsung-Kang Chen & Yijie Tseng, 2021. "Readability of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Corporate Bond Yield Spread," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(1), pages 83-113, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:30:y:2021:i:1:p:83-113
    DOI: 10.1080/09638180.2020.1740099
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang, Sumingyue & Wang, Xinlu & Xu, Liang, 2023. "Debt maturity structure and the quality of risk disclosures," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    2. Qiu, Meng & Gu, Kai & Zhang, Zhichao & Zhang, Junrui, 2023. "Political uncertainty and financial statement readability," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    3. Shijiao Cao & Jianqiong Wang, 2023. "Longitudinal accounting comparability and bond credit spreads: Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 1953-1981, June.
    4. Chen, Tsung-Kang & Tseng, Yijie & Hung, Yu-Shun & Huang, Mei-Ling, 2023. "Management efficiency uncertainty and its implications for bondholders," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 73-92.
    5. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Chih-Wei & Xu, Zhi-Ting, 2023. "Signaling effect of cash holdings adjustment before bond issuance," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Jia, Jing & Li, Zhongtian, 2022. "Risk management committees and readability of risk management disclosure," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(3).

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