Abstract
We study whether the similarity of firm disclosures on the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) has predictability for future stock returns. We find that changes to the language and construction of the CD&As predict firms' future stock returns. A portfolio that longs the CD&A non-changers and shorts the changers earns a significant Fama-French 5-factor alpha of 5.86% (annualized), for the period of 2008-2020. We further find that companies with low CD&A similarities invest less in R&D, are more likely to be targeted by short-sellers, and have greater forced CEO turnovers. Our results provide new and strong evidence on the role of executive compensation in the cross-section of stock returns.
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