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Abstract:
This paper outlines a financial statement analysis for use in equity valuation. Standard profitability analysis is incorporated, and extended, and is complemented with an analysis of growth. The perspective is one of forecasting payoffs to equities. So financial statement analysis is presented first as a matter of pro forma analysis of the future, with forecasted ratios viewed as building blocks of forecasts of payoffs. The analysis of current financial statements is then seen as a matter of identifying current ratios as predictors of the future ratios that drive equity payoffs. The financial statement analysis is hierarchical, with ratios lower in the ordering identified as finer information about those higher up. To provide historical benchmarks for forecasting, typical values for ratios are documented for the period 1963-1996, along with their cross-sectional variation and correlation. And, again with a view to forecasting, the time series behavior of many of the ratios is also described and their typical "long-run, steady-state" levels are documented.

Abstract:
This paper presents a financial statement analysis that distinguishes leverage that arises in financing activities from leverage that arises in operations. The analysis yields two leveraging equations, one for borrowing to finance operations and one for borrowing in the course of operations. These leveraging equations describe how the two types of leverage affect book rates of return on equity. An empirical analysis shows that the financial statement analysis explains cross-sectional differences in current and future rates of return as well as in price-to-book ratios, which are based on expected rates of return on equity. The paper therefore concludes that balance sheet line items for operating liabilities are priced differently than those dealing with financing liabilities. Accordingly, financial statement analysis that distinguishes the two types of liabilities aids in the forecasting of future profitability and the evaluation of appropriate price-to-book ratios.

Financing leverage; Operating liability leverage; Rate of return on equity; Price-to-book ratio

Abstract:
We examine the valuation performance of a comprehensive list of pricing multiples. We find that multiples derived from forward earnings explain stock prices remarkably well for most firms: pricing errors are within 15 percent of stock prices for about half of our sample. In terms of relative performance, the following general rankings are observed: 1) forward earnings measures, 2) historical earnings measures, 3) cash flow measures and book value of equity (tied), and 4) sales. Contrary to the popular view that different industries have different ?best? multiples, we find that these overall rankings are observed consistently for almost all industries examined. Adjusting the ratio formulation typically followed in practice to allow for an intercept offers some improvement, especially for multiples that perform poorly. No improvement is observed, however, when we consider more complex measures of intrinsic value based on short-cut residual income models (where forward earnings are combined with book values, estimated discount rates, and generic terminal value estimates).

Abstract:
Contrary to the common perception that operating cash flows are better than accounting earnings at explaining equity valuations, recent studies suggest that valuations derived from industry multiples based on reported earnings are closer to traded prices than those based on reported operating cash flows. We extend those analyses to determine if the balance tilts in favor of cash flows when we consider a) forecasts rather than reported numbers, b) dividends rather than operating cash flows, c) individual industries rather than all industries combined, and d) firms in other markets beyond the U.S. Our main finding is that in all venues cash flows (both operating and dividends) are dominated by earnings. Our results imply that those seeking quick valuations should use multiples based on forecasted earnings, since they are remarkably close to traded prices.

cash flows, earnings, valuation, multiples

Abstract:
This paper examines whether the documented negative correlation between changes in interest rates and stock returns is also observed in the fundamentals on which equity values are based. The negative correlation is often attributed to changes in the discount rate, a denominator effect in a valuation model. However, there may also be a numerator effect on the expected payoffs that are discounted, and it is this effect that the paper examines. The paper documents the effect of changes in interest rates on accounting profitability and asset growth that are tied to expected dividends and value in the residual earnings valuation model. The effects of changes in both real and nominal interest rates are investigated so that the effects of changes in expected inflation (that has been the focus of much of the research on interest rates and stock returns) are isolated. Accordingly, the paper evaluates the Modigliani and Cohn conjecture that investors do not understand the effect of changes in expected inflation on firms. The results show that both real and nominal rates are positively related to subsequent profitability and growth, at least in the near term. So, increases in interest rates are followed by higher profitability and growth. However, the resultant increase in earnings is typically not large enough to cover the increase in the required return from the increase in the interest rate. So the overall effect on equity value is negative, consistent with the results of the research on interest rates and stock returns.

Abstract:
The accruals anomaly - the negative relationship between accounting accruals and subsequent stock returns - has been well documented in the academic and practitioner literatures for almost a decade. To the extent that this anomaly represents market inefficiency, one would expect sophisticated investors to learn about it and arbitrage the anomaly away. Yet, we show that the accruals anomaly still persists and its magnitude has not declined over time. While we find that institutional investors react promptly to accruals information, it is clear that their reaction is rather weak and is primarily characteristic of active investors who constitute a minority of institutions. The main reason: Extreme accruals firms have characteristics which are unattractive to most institutional investors. Individual investors are by and large unable to profit from trading on accruals information due to the high transaction and information costs associated with implementing a consistently profitable accruals strategy. Consequently, the accruals anomaly persists, and will probably endure.

Abstract:
Numerous studies have documented that stock returns are negatively related to changes in interest rates, but there has been little corroborating research on the information in interest rate changes about the fundamentals which the stock market prices. The negative correlation is often attributed to changes in the discount rate, a denominator effect in a valuation model. However, there may also be a numerator effect on the expected payoffs that are discounted. This paper shows that changes in interest rates are positively related to subsequent earnings, but the change in earnings is typically not large enough to cover the change in the required return. Hence the net (numerator and denominator) effect on equity value is negative, consistent with the results of the research on interest rates and stock returns.

interest rates, expected inflation, earnings, equity valuation

Abstract:
Prior research generally finds that firms underreport option expense by managing assumptions underlying option valuation (e.g. they shorten the expected option lives), but it fails to document management of a key assumption, the one concerning expected stock-price volatility. Using a new methodology, we address two questions: (1) To what extent do companies follow the guidance in FAS 123 and use forward looking information in addition to the readily available historical volatility in estimating expected volatility? (2) What determines the cross-sectional variation in the reliance on forward looking information? We find that firms use both historical and forward-looking information in deriving expected volatility. We also find, however, that the reliance on forward-looking information is limited to situations where this reliance results in reduced expected volatility and thus smaller option expense. We interpret this finding as managers opportunistically use the discretion in estimating expected volatility afforded by FAS 123. In support of this interpretation, we also find that managerial incentives play a key role in this opportunism.

Executive Stock Options, Forward-looking Information, SFAS No. 123, Call option, Implied Volatility

Abstract:
The accruals anomaly - the negative relationship between accounting accruals and subsequent stock returns - has been well documented in the academic and practitioner literatures for almost a decade. To the extent that this anomaly represents market inefficiency, one would expect sophisticated investors to learn about it and arbitrage the anomaly away. Yet, we show that the accruals anomaly still persists and its magnitude has not declined over time. While we find that institutional investors react promptly to accruals information, it is clear that their reaction is rather weak and is primarily characteristic of active investors who constitute a minority of institutions. The main reason: Extreme accruals firms have characteristics which are unattractive to most institutional investors. Individual investors are by and large unable to profit from trading on accruals information due to the high transaction and information costs associated with implementing a consistently profitable accruals strategy. Consequently, the accruals anomaly persists, and will probably endure.

Abstract:
Standard valuation methods do not lend themselves to bank holding companies. Banks create value through the types of assets and liabilities they create (e.g., lending and deposit taking relationships). Bank income streams reflect heterogeneous sources of income which differ in their margins of profitability and persistence. Our approach to valuation permits potential differences in the composition of assets, liabilities, income and expenses, and in the profitability and persistence of different sources of income, to reflect themselves in estimated relationships that relate the composition of the balance sheet and income statement to bank value. Our approach explains substantial cross-sectional variation in observed market-to-book values, and residuals from cross-sectional regressions of market-to-book values are useful for predicting future stock returns. Predictable future variation in returns does not reflect priced risk factors, but is related to trading costs.

Abstract:
Prior research generally finds that firms underreport option expense by managingassumptions underlying option valuation (e.g. they shorten the expected option lives), but it fails to document management of a key assumption, the one concerning expected stock-price volatility. Using a new methodology, we address two questions: (1) To what extent do companies follow the guidance in FAS 123 and use forward looking information in addition to the readily available historical volatility in estimating expected volatility? (2) What determinesthe cross-sectional variation in the reliance on forward looking information? We find that firms use both historical and forward-looking information in deriving expected volatility. We also find, however, that the reliance on forward-looking information is limited to situations where this reliance results in reduced expected volatility and thus smaller option expense. We interpret this finding as managers opportunistically use the discretion in estimating expected volatility afforded by FAS 123. In support of this interpretation, we also find that managerial incentivesplay a key role in this opportunism.

executive stock options, forward-looking information, SFAS No. 123, implied volatility

Abstract:
Contrary to the common perception that operating cash flows are better than accounting earnings at explaining equity valuations, recent studies suggest that valuations derived from industry multiples based on reported earnings are closer to traded prices than those based on reported operating cash flows. The question addressed in the article is whether the balance tilts in favor of cash flows when the following are considered: (1) forecasts rather than reported numbers, (2) dividends rather than operating cash flows, (3) individual industries rather than all industries combined, and (4) companies in non-U.S. markets. In all cases studied, earnings dominated operating cash flows and dividends.

Equity Investments, Fundamental Analysis and Valuation Models, Industry Analysis

Abstract:
We investigate the ability of a tax-based fundamental - the ratio of tax-to-book income - to predict earnings growth and stock returns and to explain the earnings-price ratio. This tax fundamental reflects both temporary and permanent book-tax differences as well as tax accruals, such as changes in the tax valuation allowance. We find that the tax-to-book income ratio predicts subsequent five-year earnings changes, both before and after the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109 in 1993. For the pre-SFAS 109 period, the tax information is unrelated to contemporaneous earnings-price ratios and strongly related to subsequent stock returns. Conversely, for the post-SFAS 109 period, the tax fundamental is strongly related to contemporaneous earnings-price ratios and only weakly related to subsequent stock returns, indicating improvement over time in investors' perceptions of the implications of the tax information for future earnings. Deferred taxes, a component of our tax fundamental and the focus of recent research, exhibit relatively modest ability to predict earnings or stock returns both before and after the implementation of SFAS 109. Finally, throughout the examined period, the taxable income information about future earnings is incremental to that in accruals and cash flows.

taxable income, deferred taxes, earnings quality, earnings management, market efficiency

Abstract:
This study investigates whether banks manage the disclosed fair value of their major asset, the loan portfolio. Using two cross-section samples, I find evidence that suggests banks manage the fair value of loans. The estimated extent of overstatement of loans' fair value is negatively related to regulatory capital, asset growth, liquidity and the gross book value of loans, and positively related to the change in the rate of credit losses. These relations imply that some banks overstate the disclosed fair value of loans in an attempt to favorably affect the market assessment of their risk and performance.

fair value, financial instruments, loans, banks, disclosure management

Abstract:
In this study, we use cross-sectional regressions to estimate the value of the debt-tax shield. Recognizing that debt is correlated with the value of operations along nontax dimensions, we estimate reverse regressions in which we regress future profitability on firm value and debt rather than regressing firm value on debt and profitability. Reversing the regressions mitigates bias and facilitates the use of market information to control for differences in risk and expected growth. Our estimated value for the debt-tax shield is approximately 40 percent (ten percent) of debt balances (firm value), net of the personal tax disadvantage of debt. In addition, our estimates for the debt-tax shield vary across tax regimes and across firms in a predictable manner.

Capital Structure, Corporate Taxes, Personal Taxes, Debt-tax Shield

Abstract:
We investigate the relation between dividend changes and future profitability, measured in terms of either future earnings or future abnormal earnings. Supporting "the information content of dividends hypothesis," we find that dividend changes provide information about the level of profitability in subsequent years, incremental to market and accounting data. We also document that dividend changes are positively related to earnings changes in each of the two years after the dividend change.

Abstract:
In this study we investigate the relation between dividend changes and future profitability. We find that dividend changes are positively associated with future profitability after controlling for (i) past profitability, (ii) the effect of invested equity capital on past, current and future profitability, and (iii) market expectations of future profitability prior to the dividend change. The relation between dividend increases and future profitability remains highly significant even after controlling for profitability in the dividend change year. Moreover, the magnitude of the relation between dividend changes and unexpected future profitability increases in the distance between the dividend change year and the future year. Finally, similar to previous studies, we document that dividend changes are positively associated with subsequent capital expenditures. These results suggest that dividend increase announcements convey that (i) current profitability will be higher than expected, (ii) the shock to current profitability is relatively permanent, and (iii) the company expects to invest in positive NPV projects that will generate accounting profits in future years.