The Power of Words in Capital Markets

Abstract

The capital market’s efficiency in valuating companies is predicated through information. It is through the processing, dissemination, and interpretation of information that the constituents in the capital market formulate their valuation of the firm and its future prospects. Management’s information disclosure to the financial community, the probing and dissemination of information by investment analysts and the media, and the use of impression management to influence these information intermediaries form a loop in which each of these players use the “power of words” to influence each other, as well as, other capital market constituents. How management, investment analysts, and the media use the “power of words” and its impact on capital markets is a phenomenon that is receiving increasing attention in the field of finance and management. The goal of this symposium is to showcase research on the “power of words” in the capital markets and to provide an integration of this body of research and avenues for future research through an interactive dialogue between the panel members and the audience. We have identified five experts on various topics that explore the relationship between capital markets and firms and the influence each have on the other through their actions and words. This symposium is intended to present a forum to discuss how the use of words can influence investors and firm decision-making.