Download This PaperMarket Reactions to Gendered Speech Patterns
50 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2023 Last revised: 5 Dec 2023
Date Written: November 7, 2023
Abstract
We analyse the influence of gendered speech patterns on the credibility of corporate executives. Using audio recordings, we focus on the occurrence of uptalk (rising intonation) among executives during earnings calls. Uptalk by female, but not male, executives predicts lower earnings and prompts analysts to issue lower recommendations and earnings forecasts, although these do not fully reflect the signal. Bid-ask spreads widen when female executives speak and use uptalk. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that uptalk is a female-typed characteristic signalling uncertainty.
Keywords: Gender, uptalk, earnings, stereotyping, audio recordings D91, J16, G17, G41
JEL Classification: D91, J16, G17, G41
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Howard Jones
University of Oxford, Saïd Business School ( email )
Park End Street
Oxford, OX1 1HP
Great Britain
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Alan Morrison
University of Oxford - Said Business School ( email )
Department of Finance
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Oxford OX1 1HP
United Kingdom
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