Intangibles disclosure, market performance and business reputation the case of Spain

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse from an evolutionary point of view the degree of disclosure of information regarding intangibles of Spanish companies listed on the Stock Exchange. In addition, the paper explores the reasons which lead companies towards greater transparency and the effects this has on share market value and business reputation. All kinds of annual reports issued by 43 listed Spanish companies have been examined for the period of 2001?2003. With respect to previous studies, an improved classification of intangibles has been used and several refinements have been made in the way of scoring the amount of information disclosed. The research shows that information transparency regarding intangibles is clearly on the rise. No type of significant link has been noted between transparency and share market value, but a positive and significant link has been detected between the degree of intangibles disclosure and corporate reputation.