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The Relationship between Fair Value, Market Value, and Efficient Markets

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  • J. Alex Milburn

Abstract

This paper proposes that an assumption of reasonable market efficiency is at the essence of the relevance of fair value for financial reporting purposes. The paper's examination of this proposal begins with a review of recent academic literature on market efficiency, and on evidence of inefficiencies and their implications for the ability of the efficient market hypothesis to explain what market prices represent. It concludes that there is wide acceptance in this literature that a reasonable level of efficiency can generally be presumed to exist in active, well‐regulated capital markets. The paper examines the essential attributes of a reasonably efficient market for fair value measurement purposes, and some basic implications for its reliable estimation. This is done in comparison with the provisions of the fair value measurement standard of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) (Statement of Financial Accounting Standards [SFAS] No. 157). It is concluded that the concept of reasonable market efficiency could provide a sound conceptual framework for defining fair value that is founded in real, observable market prices. It is demonstrated that, in contrast, SFAS No. 157 does not provide a clear, unequivocal concept of fair value, and that it permits estimates of fair value that have no demonstrable basis in real, observable market prices. Nevertheless, it appears that arguments typically put forward by the International Accounting Standards Board and the FASB for the relevance of fair value for financial reporting purposes do imply a presumption of reasonably efficient markets.

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  • J. Alex Milburn, 2008. "The Relationship between Fair Value, Market Value, and Efficient Markets," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 7(4), pages 293-316, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:accper:v:7:y:2008:i:4:p:293-316
    DOI: 10.1506/ap.7.4.2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Burton G. Malkiel, 2005. "Reflections on the Efficient Market Hypothesis: 30 Years Later," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 40(1), pages 1-9, February.
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    5. M. C. Findlay & E. E. Williams, 2001. "A Fresh Look at the Efficient Market Hypothesis: How the Intellectual History of Finance Encouraged a Real "Fraud-on-the-Market"," Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, M.E. Sharpe, Inc., vol. 23(2), pages 181-199, January.
    6. Pontiff, Jeffrey, 2006. "Costly arbitrage and the myth of idiosyncratic risk," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(1-2), pages 35-52, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea Menini & Michel Magnan & Antonio Parbonetti, 2011. "Fair Value Accounting: Information or Confusion for Financial Markets?," CIRANO Working Papers 2011s-56, CIRANO.
    2. Fawzi A. Al Sawalqa, 2016. "Fair Value Accounting: A Controversial but Promising System," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(1), pages 1-88, February.
    3. Dawid Szutowski & Marlena A. Bednarska, 2014. "Short- and Long-Term Effects of Innovations on Enterprise Market Value: A Case of the Tourism Industry," Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation, Fundacja Upowszechniająca Wiedzę i Naukę "Cognitione", vol. 10(4), pages 45-63.
    4. Eric Paget-Blanc & Joelle Marine Kamdem Kamne, 2017. "Pertinence de la comptabilisation en juste valeur pour les banques africaines : une étude empirique," Post-Print hal-01907616, HAL.
    5. Árni Claessen, 2021. "Relevance of Level 3 fair value disclosures and IFRS 13: a case study," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 18(4), pages 378-390, December.
    6. Michel L. Magnan, 2009. "Fair Value Accounting and the Financial Crisis: Messenger or Contributor?," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(3), pages 189-213, August.
    7. Masaki Kusano, 2012. "Does the Balance Sheet Approach Improve the Usefulness of Accounting Information?," The Japanese Accounting Review, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University, vol. 2, pages 139-152, December.
    8. Fredj, Imen & Gana, Marjène Rabah & Trabelsi, Samir, 2025. "OCI information and analysts’ forecast accuracy: Evidence from US commercial banks☆," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(PA).
    9. Pascal Barneto & Georges Gregorio, 2011. "Normes IFRS et mesure de la performance. Étude comparative auprès des établissements bancaires européens," Post-Print hal-00646454, HAL.

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