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Journal of Accounting and Economics Vol. 73 No. 2-3 2022

Non-GAAP earnings and stock price crash risk

Charles Hsu1; Rencheng Wang2; Benjamin C. Whipple3

1 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology · 2 Singapore Management University · 3 University of Georgia

Abstract

We investigate whether non-GAAP earnings disclosures increase stock price crash risk. Consistent with non-GAAP disclosures allowing managers to inflate investors’ perceptions about firm performance, our results indicate that income increasing non-GAAP reporting increases crash risk. We also find that managers can use non-GAAP reporting as a substitute for earnings management to withhold bad news from investors (the traditional explanation for crashes). Finally, we find a positive association between non-GAAP reporting and the likelihood of subsequent events that can trigger a crash. Overall, our evidence is consistent with some non-GAAP disclosures exposing investors to risks of large and sudden price declines.

DOI
10.1016/j.jacceco.2021.101473
Volume
73
Issue
2-3
Pages
101473
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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