An Empirical Analysis of Analysts’ Capital Expenditure Forecasts: Evidence from Corporate Investment Efficiency

73 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2018 Last revised: 12 May 2020

See all articles by Jin Kyung Choi

Jin Kyung Choi

City University of Hong Kong (CityU)

Rebecca N. Hann

University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business

Musa Subasi

University of Maryland-College Park - Robert H. Smith School of Business

Yue Zheng

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST)

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: April 12, 2018

Abstract

We examine whether the information conveyed in a relatively new analyst research output—capital expenditure (capex) forecasts—affects corporate investment efficiency. We find that firms with analyst capex forecasts exhibit higher investment efficiency. This effect is stronger when the forecasts are issued by analysts with higher ability or greater industry knowledge. Moreover, the effect of capex forecasts on investment efficiency varies with the signals they convey about future growth opportunities—positive-growth signals are more effective in reducing underinvestment, while negative-growth signals are more effective in reducing overinvestment. Cross-sectional tests suggest that these effects operate at least in part through both a financing channel and a monitoring channel. Taken together, our results suggest that analysts’ capex forecasts convey useful information about firms’ growth opportunities to managers and investors, which can facilitate efficient investment.

Keywords: Analyst capital expenditure forecasts, capital expenditures, corporate investment efficiency, growth opportunities, real effects, information asymmetry, agency problems

JEL Classification: G31, G32

Suggested Citation

Choi, Jin Kyung and Hann, Rebecca N. and Subasi, Musa and Zheng, Yue, An Empirical Analysis of Analysts’ Capital Expenditure Forecasts: Evidence from Corporate Investment Efficiency (April 12, 2018). Contemporary Accounting Research, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3161634 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3161634

Jin Kyung Choi

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) ( email )

83 Tat Chee Avenue
Kowloon
Hong Kong

Rebecca N. Hann

University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business ( email )

College Park, MD 20742-1815
United States

Musa Subasi (Contact Author)

University of Maryland-College Park - Robert H. Smith School of Business ( email )

University of Maryland-College Park
4332J Van Munching Hall
College Park, MD 20742
United States
301-314-1055 (Phone)

Yue Zheng

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST) ( email )

Clearwater Bay
Kowloon, 999999
Hong Kong

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