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A comparison of the information content of US and Danish earnings

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  • Thomas Plenborg

Abstract

This study provides a more in-depth comparison of the information content of US and Danish earnings than has previously been done. Alford et al. (1993) is essentially the only prior study which has compared the information content of US and Danish earnings. They find that US earnings are relatively more informative than Danish earnings. However, the study of Alford et al. (1993) suffers from several deficiencies, which questions the conclusion drawn in their study. This study addresses these deficiencies. First, the sample size is increased from 19 to 121 companies. Further, the comparison is carried out on the basis of operating income, net income and comprehensive income rather than net income alone. By examining these income measures and by concentrating on a comparison of US and Danish earnings alone it is possible to provide explanations for differences in the information content of US and Danish earnings. Finally, this study avoids a size problem by including all Danish listed companies. Given the improvements in the research design and sample size this study finds that Danish earnings seem to be at least as informative as US earnings. In fact, in many cases Danish earnings appear more informative than US earnings. This is the case when both an earnings-return association approach and a perfect foresight portfolio approach are applied.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Plenborg, 1998. "A comparison of the information content of US and Danish earnings," European Accounting Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 41-63.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:euract:v:7:y:1998:i:1:p:41-63
    DOI: 10.1080/096381898336574
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ali, A & Zarowin, P, 1992. "The Role Of Earnings Levels In Annual Earnings Returns Studies," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 286-296.
    2. Ohlson, Ja & Shroff, Pk, 1992. "Changes Versus Levels In Earnings As Explanatory Variables For Returns - Some Theoretical Considerations," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 210-226.
    3. Pownall, G, 1993. "The Relative Informativeness Of Accounting Disclosures In Different Countries - Discussion," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31, pages 224-229.
    4. Collins, Daniel W. & Kothari, S. P. & Rayburn, Judy Dawson, 1987. "Firm size and the information content of prices with respect to earnings," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(2), pages 111-138, July.
    5. Ball, R & Brown, P, 1968. "Empirical Evaluation Of Accounting Income Numbers," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(2), pages 159-178.
    6. Chan, Kam C. & Seow, Gim S., 1996. "The association between stock returns and foreign GAAP earnings versus earnings adjusted to U.S. GAAP," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(1), pages 139-158, February.
    7. Easton, Pd & Harris, Ts, 1991. "Earnings As An Explanatory Variable For Returns," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 19-36.
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    9. Beaver, William & Lambert, Richard & Morse, Dale, 1980. "The information content of security prices," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 2(1), pages 3-28, March.
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    Cited by:

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