Earnings Components, Accounting Conservatism and Equity Valuation

35 Pages Posted: 27 Feb 2005

See all articles by Peter F. Pope

Peter F. Pope

Bocconi University; London School of Economics and Political Science

Pengguo Wang

Xfi, University of Exeter

Abstract

In this paper we address three issues in accounting-based equity valuation: (i) How are valuation parameters related to earnings persistence and accounting conservatism when earnings components aggregate, or add up, in valuation? (ii) What does aggregation of earnings components in valuation imply for abnormal earnings dynamics? and (iii) When is an earnings component irrelevant and core earnings the relevant construct for valuation? Assuming linear valuation, no-arbitrage, dividend irrelevance and clean surplus accounting, we show that when earnings components aggregate, valuation expressions and abnormal earnings dynamics are generalizations of the Ohlson (1995) model, incorporating simple adjustments for accounting conservatism. When core earnings is the relevant earnings construct, valuation expressions closely resemble the aggregation case, but core (abnormal) earnings replaces clean surplus (abnormal) earnings. We demonstrate that an earnings component can be irrelevant in valuation even when it is predictable.

Keywords: Equity valuation, Earnings components, Accounting conservatism, Dividend irrelevance

JEL Classification: D46, G12, G35, M41

Suggested Citation

Pope, Peter F. and Wang, Pengguo, Earnings Components, Accounting Conservatism and Equity Valuation. Review of Accounting Studies, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=672783

Peter F. Pope (Contact Author)

Bocconi University ( email )

Dept of Accounting
Milan, 20136
Italy

London School of Economics and Political Science ( email )

Houghton Street
London, WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

Pengguo Wang

Xfi, University of Exeter ( email )

Streatham Court
Exeter, EX4 4PU
United Kingdom