The Voluntary Disclosure of Companies Listed on Palestine Exchange and Its Effect on Stock Price

Abstract

This study aims to measure quality and quantity of the voluntary disclosures (VD) in the annual reports of 45 companies listed in Palestine exchange for the year 2014. It also examines the impact of the VD on the stock price. The inductive approach and content analysis were used to analyze the VD, through a proposed model (Checklist). In addition, the study used regression analysis to examine the impact of the VD level of companies on its stock price. The results showed that the VD level was varied from one industry to another, and even between companies within an industry. The banking sector was the most committed sector to the VD by 70%, and ?the less committed sector was the real estate sector by 36%. Overall, the VD level for sectors as a whole was 54%. Then, this indicates that the companies do not significantly disclose the VD, and need to strengthen and attention. It showed also that the VD level does not significantly effect on the stock price. The study recommended that it is necessary to increase the VD level due the large benefits for several related parties and the companies themselves.