Earnings management and long-term performance: evidence from reverse stock splits

Abstract

This study investigates earnings management and long-term stock performance surrounding reverse stock splits. It is designed to provide evidence on the role of managerial pessimism and discretionary current accruals. Discretionary current accruals are used to measure earnings management. These discretionary current accruals are measured in our study using the balance sheet approach as well as the cash flow statement approach. We find consistent evidence of negative discretionary current accruals prior to reverse stock splits. Such negative discretionary accruals are consistent with managerial pessimism prior to a reverse stock split. Such pessimism is warranted by the observed negative market reaction to a reverse split announcement and the negative abnormal returns observed after reverse splits. Negative discretionary current accruals are also consistent with smoothing of earnings during difficult and challenging periods for the firm. Our study might provide an alternative to the opportunism explanation. It also provides additional evidence buttressing the role of managerial optimism and pessimism in explaining earnings management.