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The association between unexpected earnings and abnormal security returns in the presence of financial leverage

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  • DAN S. DHALIWAL
  • KYUNG J. LEE
  • NEIL L. FARGHER

Abstract

. This study extends the growing literature on the deteminants of the variation in the relationship between unexpected earnings and abnormal security returns (the earnings response coefficient). We hypothesize that the firm's default risk as measured by financial leverage would affect the earnings response coefficient. We test this hypothesis by partitioning firms according to (1) the existence of debt in the capital structure (all†equity versus levered firms) and (2) the level of leverage (low†leverage versus high†leverage firms). The results are generally consistent with our hypothesis. Specifically, we find that the earnings response coefficients are larger for all†equity and low†leverage firms vis†à †vis matched†levered and high†leverage firms, even after controlling for the effects of equity beta, persistence, risk premium, and measurement error in unexpected earnings. Our findings are also robust with respect to the choice of earnings measure, either before or after interest charges. Résumé. L'étude s'inscrit dans le prolongement des travaux de plus en plus nombreux portant sur les déterminants de la fluctuation de la relation entre les bénéfices imprévus et les rendements anormaux des titres (le coefficient de réponse des bénéfices). Les auteurs posent l'hypothèse que le risque de non†paiement de l'entreprise, mesuré en termes de levier financier, influe sur le coefficient de réponse des bénéfices. Les auteurs testent cette hypothèse en classant les entreprises selon 1) l'existence ou non de capitaux empruntés dans la structure du capital (entreprises dont les capitaux sont exclusivement des capitaux propres par rapport aux entreprises dont les capitaux sont en partie empruntés) et 2) l'importance du levier financier (entreprises dont le levier financier est faible par rapport aux entreprises dont l'importance du levier financier est élevée). Dans l'ensemble. les résultats confirment l'hypothèse. De façon plus précise, les coefficients de réponse des bénéfices sont plus élevés pour les entreprises dont les capitaux sont exclusivement des capitaux propres et les entreprises dont le levier financier est faible, par rapport aux entreprises, classées selon la taille et le secteur d'activité, dont les capitaux sont davantage constitués de capitaux empruntés et dont le levier financier est élevé, même lorsque sont contrôlées les répercussions du bêta des capitaux propres, de la persistance, de la prime de risque et de l'erreur de mesure des bénéfices imprévus. Les résultats de leur étude résistent également à l'analyse lorsqu'ils font intervenir le choix de la mesure des bénéfices, avant ou après avoir tenu compte des intérêts débiteurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan S. Dhaliwal & Kyung J. Lee & Neil L. Fargher, 1991. "The association between unexpected earnings and abnormal security returns in the presence of financial leverage," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 20-41, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:coacre:v:8:y:1991:i:1:p:20-41
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1911-3846.1991.tb00832.x
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