Frequent Financial Reporting and Managerial Myopia
Posted: 20 Jun 2014 Last revised: 5 May 2017
Date Written: April 1, 2017
Abstract
Using the transition of US firms from annual reporting to semi-annual reporting and then to quarterly reporting over the period 1950-1970, we provide evidence on the effects of increased reporting frequency on firms’ investment decisions. Estimates from difference-in-differences specifications indicate that increased reporting frequency is associated with an economically large decline in investments. Additional analyses reveal that the decline in investments is most consistent with frequent financial reporting inducing myopic management behavior. Our evidence informs the recent controversial debate about eliminating quarterly reporting for US corporations.
Keywords: Financial reporting frequency, real effects, myopia, investment, short termism
JEL Classification: M41, M40, G31, G30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation