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Earnings benchmark hierarchy
Author(s) -
Carvajal Mariela,
Coulton Jeffrey J.,
Jackson Andrew B.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
accounting and finance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.645
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1467-629X
pISSN - 0810-5391
DOI - 10.1111/acfi.12132
Subject(s) - earnings , benchmark (surveying) , hierarchy , business , post earnings announcement drift , earnings response coefficient , accounting , econometrics , economics , market economy , geodesy , geography
We examine the hierarchy of earnings benchmarks in Australia. Our results demonstrate a disconnect between the actions managers appear to take and the market reaction to firms exceeding or just missing earnings benchmarks. The actions of managers appear consistent with them acting in a manner to avoid making losses and earnings decreases. On the other hand, the market reacts in a manner where the analysts’ earnings forecast is at the top of the earnings benchmark hierarchy. However, for firms without analyst coverage, the reporting of positive earnings is the predominant earnings benchmark.