The Value Implications of Mandatory Clawback Provisions
52 Pages Posted: 28 Dec 2016 Last revised: 21 Feb 2023
Date Written: February 17, 2023
Abstract
We examine the stock market reaction to the announcement of an SEC proposal to make clawback provisions mandatory. The SEC’s proposed rules were significantly stronger than existing clawback provisions that many firms had voluntarily adopted. We find that firms without a clawback provision exhibited positive abnormal returns of 0.6% in a 5-day window around the announcement of the proposed rule. Firms with a clawback provision did not exhibit statistically significant abnormal announcement returns. The announcement’s impact is strongest for firms with more powerful management. Our findings suggest that the mandatory clawbacks are value-enhancing on average.
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