Why Do Analysts Issue Forecast Revisions Inconsistent with Prior Stock Returns? Determinants and Consequences

Abstract

We examine the informativeness of analyst forecast revisions that are directionally inconsistent with prior stock price movements (sign-inconsistent revisions). Sign-inconsistent revisions represent approximately one-half of the forecast revisions from 1995 through 2010. Our tests indicate that sign-inconsistent revisions are less informative than are sign-consistent revisions. Sign-inconsistent revisions are less likely to be closer to actual earnings realizations and they generate smaller stock price reactions. We also find evidence that sign-inconsistent revisions are associated with analysts’ economic incentives to generate trading volume and their behavioral limitations related to information uncertainty. These results suggest that sign-inconsistent revisions do not necessarily benefit investors.

Keywords: Analyst forecast revision; Forecast inconsistency; Forecast informativeness

JEL Classification: G24