The Value Relevance of the Foreign Translation Adjustment

Posted: 24 Apr 2003

See all articles by Henock Louis

Henock Louis

Pennsylvania State University - Smeal College of Business

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Abstract

Proponents of comprehensive income maintain that comprehensive income "identifies all (recognized) sources of value created in one number as a measure of value added." In this study, I present an economic analysis of one of the major components of comprehensive income, the foreign translation adjustment. The analysis suggests that, in general, the translation adjustment is not a source of value added for firms in the manufacturing sector because the accounting rules governing foreign currency translations generally produce results opposite to the economic effects of exchange rate changes. Consistent with existing economic theories, I find that, on average, a positive translation adjustment is associated with a loss of value instead of a creation of value. I also find that the negative association between the translation adjustment and change in value is largely attributable to those firms that are the most labor-intensive. Because such firms are likely to have the most rigid (or "sticky") input factor prices, economic theories predict that they should be the most affected by currency fluctuations. The study raises questions about an accounting income computation that recognizes a positive translation adjustment as an increase in income.

Keywords: comprehensive income, foreign translation adjustment, foreign exchange, international accounting, value relevance, multinational firms

JEL Classification: M41, M44, M47, G12, F31, F20

Suggested Citation

Louis, Henock, The Value Relevance of the Foreign Translation Adjustment. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=392241

Henock Louis (Contact Author)

Pennsylvania State University - Smeal College of Business ( email )

University Park, PA 16802-3306
United States
814-865-4160 (Phone)
814-863-8393 (Fax)

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