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Journal of Banking & Finance Vol. 60 2015

Stock liquidity and managerial short-termism

Yangyang Chen1,2; S. Ghon Rhee1,3; Madhu Veeraraghavan4; Leon Zolotoy5

1 Monash University · 2 Hong Kong Polytechnic University · 3 University of Hawaii–West Oahu · 4 T A Pai Management Institute · 5 The University of Melbourne

Abstract

We examine whether stock liquidity exacerbates or mitigates managerial short-termism. Utilizing earnings management as a proxy for managerial short-termism, we establish three major findings. First, firms with liquid stocks engage in less accrual-based and real earnings management. Second, the effect of stock liquidity on earnings management is amplified for firms with high levels of managerial pay-for-performance sensitivity. Third, the positive association between the intensity of earnings management and firm cost of capital is evident only for firms with low stock liquidity. Our findings are consistent with the threat of blockholder exit as the main governance channel through which stock liquidity discourages opportunistic earnings management and mitigates managerial short-termism.

DOI
10.1016/j.jbankfin.2015.07.007
Volume
60
Pages
44-59
Language
en
Sources
crossref openalex bibtex:phds-export.bib

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