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Pricing Model Management: Evidence from Employee Stock Option (Un)Fair Valuation

Author

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  • Larmande , Francois

    (HEC Paris)

  • Belze , Loïc

    (EMLYON Business School)

  • Schneider , Lorenz

    (EMLYON Business School)

Abstract

This paper examines the fair value management of Employee Stock Options (ESOs). Departing from earlier literature focused on input estimates, we study management of the valuation model itself, seen in the ad-hoc adjustments made by companies to generally accepted models. Our analysis is based on a unique sample of ESOs in an IFRS context for which detailed disclosure is available. We find evidence of model management, with a median understatement of 52% compared to our benchmark model, which is designed to control for ESO-specific characteristics and input estimates. Furthermore, we identify three levers for model management: dilution, non-tradability of the option, and transaction costs. We conduct an in-depth analysis of companies’ arguments for making these ad-hoc adjustments and find no grounds for them. This paper highlights model management as a relevant issue for ESO fair value which has direct consequences for standard setters and enforcement authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Larmande , Francois & Belze , Loïc & Schneider , Lorenz, 2015. "Pricing Model Management: Evidence from Employee Stock Option (Un)Fair Valuation," HEC Research Papers Series 1103, HEC Paris.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebg:heccah:1103
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    File URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2642255
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Merz, 2020. "Expensing performance-vested executive stock options: is there underreporting under IFRS 2?," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 90(3), pages 461-493, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fair value; ESO; Transaction costs; IFRS 2; Dilution; Non-Tradability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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