It has been one of the major research interests to establish the usefulness of accounting information, especially in the determination of the firm value. With the recent introduction of the valuation model, which has accounting earning and book value ...
It has been one of the major research interests to establish the usefulness of accounting information, especially in the determination of the firm value. With the recent introduction of the valuation model, which has accounting earning and book value of equity as the main variables, there have been several empirical researches on the relationship between stock price and accounting measurements.
This study examines whether value relevance of the two summary measures, accounting earning and book value of equity, changes contingent on firm characteristics, i.e. debt ratio and firm size. Furthermore, the pattern of change is shown to be dependent on the size of discretionary accruals based on Jones model. The results of this study are as follows:
First, two summary measures were reflected in stock price, to some extent, for the last 15 years.
Second, the value relevance of the two summary measures changes contingent on firm characteristics. Specifically, in large-size firm group, the value relevance of accounting earning (book value of equity) decreases (increases) as debt ratio increases. And, in low debt ratio group, the value relevance of accounting earning (book value of equity) increases (decreases) as firm size increases.
Third, the size of the discretionary accruals changes contingent on the firm characteristics. In large-size firm group, the size of the discretionary accruals increases as debt ratio increases. And, in low debt ratio group, the size of the discretionary accruals decreases as firm size increases.
The findings of this study suggest that accounting information, especially two summary measures, is reflected discreetly in stock price, and the two summary measures also reflect the firm characteristics which are indirectly related with the differences in the accounting policy as shown in the size of discretionary accruals.