[The objective of this study is to examine the effect of the default risk of debt on the relation between accounting earnings and stock returns. Recent research suggests that measurements of equity beta do not capture all dimensions of riskiness of equity. The default risk of debt may help explain how accounting earnings are linked to stock returns because the default risk of debt may capture some elements of riskiness of equity that are not captured by equity beta. We document empirically that the coefficient relating unexpected changes in earnings to abnormal stock returns (the earnings response coefficient or ERC) is negatively related to the default risk of debt as measured by bond ratings.]
Abstract Examines the effect of the default risk of debt on the relation between accounting earnings and stock returns. Correlation between equity valuation and the earnings response coefficient (ERC); Cumulative abnormal returns; Equity beta; Earnings persistence; Unexpected earnings.