Firm-specific Risk Research Articles

UNVEILING THE POWER OF IDIOSYNCRATIC RISK: HOW COMPANY SIZE AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE SHAPE STOCK PRICES

This study explores the mediating role of idiosyncratic risk in the relationship between company size, financial performance, and stock prices in the technology sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). Secondary data were gained from the annual financial statements of technology companies conducted IPOs before 2019, excluding firms with negative equity or those under suspension, formed the basis for analysis. Path analysis using SPSS version 27 was employed to examine these relationships. The study found that company size positively and significantly have impacts on stock prices. Financial performance also shows a positive and significant influence on stock prices. Idiosyncratic risk partially mediates the relationship between company size and stock prices. Similarly, idiosyncratic risk mediates the link between financial performance and stock prices, highlighting the unique risks specific to each firm as critical factors influencing stock valuation. The study underscores the dual importance of company size and financial performance in driving stock prices while emphasizing the significant role of idiosyncratic risk in moderating these effects. These findings provide valuable insights for companies, investors, and policymakers to understand stock price fluctuations, particularly in the dynamic and high-risk technology sector. Practical implications include optimizing financial performance and managing firm-specific risks to enhance stock market performance.

Can good ESG performance help companies resist external shocks?

ABSTRACT In order to validate the varied conclusions regarding the integration of corporate ESG practices by investors during external shocks, this study utilises the COVID-19 crisis as a specific external shock. The findings from our difference-in-differences methodology suggest that companies demonstrating strong ESG performance have succeeded in reducing idiosyncratic risk throughout the pandemic period. Additionally, we uncover that revenue growth acts as a critical pathway through which ESG performance reduces firm-specific risk, highlighting that firms with strong ESG practices achieved higher revenue growth, which in turn contributed to risk reduction. Further analysis shows that the political environment and dividend policy influence this relationship, as examined through heterogeneity analysis. By employing the quantile difference-in-difference technique in conjunction with the adaptive Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, we depict the dynamic evolution track of the marginal effect of ESG performance across various levels of idiosyncratic risk. Our results remain robust even after a series of rigorous robustness checks.

Utilising factor analysis on political risks including strategies of managing firm-specific risk factors for multinational construction projects in Pakistan

Purpose The purpose of this article is to investigate the influence that firm-specific characteristics, such as organisational capabilities, risk management methods and stakeholder relationships, have on political risks (PRs) that are associated with multinational construction projects in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach The methodology employed in this investigation involved the acquisition of data through the use of questionnaires administered to experts in the construction industry. The research applied a quantitative method, and the sources of the data are from the Pakistani stakeholders. One hundred questionnaires were used for the data collection during field visits. Based on the data, it has been ensured that the valid questionnaires were utilised, and the data were tested for validity and reliability. The analysis tool utilised was SPSS software. For the questionnaire, a total of 15 firm-specific factors were considered in order to design the survey, which specifically targeted the identified features. The factors identified as risks were investigated using quantitative method to determine firm-specific risks.FindingsIt was found that when stakeholders have a better grasp of these dynamics, they are better able to strengthen their resilience and efficacy in managing PRs, which ultimately increases the likelihood that the project will be successful.Research limitations/implications International construction projects (ICPs) in emerging countries are substantially impacted by PRs, which can have a considerable impact on their success and sustainability. The study is localised and not generic as it is limited to Pakistan, and the risk factors considered are firm-specific but related to PRs.Practical implications By identifying key risk factors, these firms can develop targeted risk management strategies, leading to enhanced decision-making and more efficient resource allocation. Effective strategies include diversification, local partnerships and comprehensive risk assessments tailored to the unique challenges faced by international contracting firms in Pakistan.Social implications ICPs in emerging countries like Pakistan face critical problems, which include the presence of PRs. Although the larger political environment plays a significant part, the manner in which businesses navigate and mitigate PRs is also influenced by firm-specific elements.Originality/value The study is novel in terms of the factors looked at, the data, the conceptual framework and the findings of the study. The dynamic political scene, which is characterised by instability, policy changes, corruption and geopolitical conflicts, poses significant dangers to the timeliness of projects, the expenses of such projects and the investments that are made in those projects.

Intellectual property protection and firm risk: How service transition and knowledge intensity mitigate the loss of strategic resources

The inherent rarity and inimitability of intellectual property (IP) has long been recognized as the foundation of its strategic value. These characteristics are compromised in markets with weak IP protection, where IP cannot be leveraged to create sustainable competitive advantage. This presents significant challenges for internationalization, and extant literature provides little guidance on how firms can mitigate this risk. From first principles of resource-based theory, we posit that service transition alleviates this loss of a strategic resource, representing a basis for reliable revenue generation that retains its rarity and inimitability across markets with varying levels of regulatory protection. Combining novel datasets on firms’ foreign market activity and countries’ IP rights, we find that IP risk increases the volatility of revenues and consequently firm idiosyncratic risk, but that this can be offset by (a) deriving a larger share of revenues from service-based business segments and (b) increasing the knowledge intensity of service offerings. Results from a 12-year panel of 2,716 firms across 223 industries offer new insights into how the regulatory environment can erode the strategic value of resources and practical recommendations to mitigate the detrimental effects on firm-specific risk and market performance.

Impact of using derivatives on stock market liquidity

Impact of using derivatives on stock market liquidity

Strategic Navigation of Firm-Specific Risks: A Comprehensive Analysis of Corporate Finance Challenges and Solutions

Abstract: This paper delves into the multifaceted nature of firm-specific risks (FSRs) within corporate finance, highlighting operational, financial, and strategic risks as pivotal challenges confronting companies across industries. Through detailed examinations of scenarios ranging from regulatory hurdles in the pharmaceutical industry to cyber threats in retail and currency fluctuations impacting multinational corporations, this study elucidates the intricate web of internal and external factors contributing to FSR. Furthermore, it explores the critical role of corporate governance, emphasizing board structure, transparency in financial reporting, and robust internal controls in effectively managing these risks. By integrating advanced data analytics and risk modeling with comprehensive risk management frameworks, the paper showcases strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating FSRs, thereby enhancing corporate resilience and strategic agility. This analysis not only contributes to the academic discourse on risk management but also offers practical insights for practitioners aiming to fortify their organizations against the unpredictability of the business landscape.

Crowd-sourced CEO approval and turnover

Crowd-sourced CEO approval and turnover

Firms’ cost structure and stock return volatility

PurposeThis paper proposes a framework to identify a pattern in the relationship between firms’ cost structure (i.e. fixed versus variable) and their volatility in stock returns.Design/methodology/approachOur empirical analysis is based on a panel data regression where we use an extended sample period and a time-series regression-based elasticity measure of operating leverage.FindingsWe document significantly higher systematic risk among firms with large fixed costs, a conclusion which confirms theoretical predictions of earlier studies. In new findings, we document high firm-specific risk and high stock return volatility among firms with a fixed cost structure.Originality/valueThe paper fills a gap in the literature by examining the effect of cost structure using various operating leverage measures and other control measures for firm characteristics on idiosyncratic risk. Studies that seek to explain firms’ systematic risks are numerous; conversely, there are relatively fewer studies on the determinants of firms’ specific risks.

Energy-Related Uncertainty and Idiosyncratic Return Volatility: Implications for Sustainable Investment Strategies in Chinese Firms

This study examines the impact of energy-related uncertainty on idiosyncratic volatility (IVOL) in Chinese firms, leveraging data from the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2007 and 2022. Utilizing the Energy-Related Uncertainty Index (EUI) and the Fama–French five-factor model, we analyze a comprehensive dataset of 20,998 firm-year observations to understand how macroeconomic uncertainties specific to the energy sector influence firm-specific risk. Our findings reveal that a one-unit increase in the EUI is associated with a 5.1% rise in idiosyncratic volatility across all firms, underscoring the significant impact of energy-related uncertainty on firm-specific risks. The effect is more pronounced in energy-related firms, where a one-unit increase in the EUI leads to a 6.4% increase in IVOL, compared to a 3.7% increase in non-energy-related firms. By incorporating industry-wise, heterogeneity, and phase-based analyses, our findings reveal significant variations in the EUI’s impact across energy and non-energy sectors. State-owned enterprises, firms with high ownership concentration, and smaller firms are more vulnerable to energy uncertainties. Additionally, the effect of the EUI on IVOL is more pronounced during periods of high uncertainty. These insights have important implications for sustainable investment strategies, risk management, and policymaking, providing a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics of energy markets in fostering sustainable economic growth and development.

Research on the risk effects of accounting information disclosure

Research on the risk effects of accounting information disclosure

Say on Pay Laws and Insider Trading

ABSTRACT We examine whether mandatory adoption of say on pay increases executives’ incentives to engage in insider trading to compensate for the negative impact of say on pay on the value of their explicit compensation packages. Our empirical design exploits the staggered adoption of say on pay laws across 14 countries over the 2000–2015 period. We find that mandatory adoption is associated with a material increase in insider trading profits, especially in firms where executive pay is most affected. The increase in insider trading profits is driven mostly by more frequent and larger profitable insider sales, consistent with executives’ desire to reduce their greater exposure to firm-specific risk while increasing their trading profits. Overall, our results highlight the importance of considering potential effects on insider trading incentives when designing compensation reforms and when assessing their effectiveness. Data Availability: All data used in the paper are available from cited public sources. JEL Classifications: G30; G34; G38; J33; K22; M12; M16.

Does Idiosyncratic Risk Have a Significant Impact on Return Probability? A Case Study of Borsa Istanbul 100 Stocks

Most asset pricing models ignore idiosyncratic risk, or firm-specific risk, while it is one of the most critical determinants of asset pricing and stock returns. In this paper, we investigate the impact of idiosyncratic risk on the returns of stocks traded on the Borsa Istanbul using six different fixed effect panel tobit and four different fixed effect panel logit regression models. The results of logit models suggest that as idiosyncratic risk increases, probability of positive stock returns also increases. Furthermore, an increase in a stock's market sensitivity has a negative effect on the probability of positive returns, while an increase in the market-to-book ratio, firm size, and market return has positive effects on returns. In all models, the explanatory variables, including idiosyncratic risk, market-to-book ratio, firm size, and market return, have a positive effect on returns, except for the model where negative values of dependent variable are censored at zero.

To protect or to hide-an investigation on corporate redacted disclosure motives under new FAST act regulation

To protect or to hide-an investigation on corporate redacted disclosure motives under new FAST act regulation

경제 불확실성이 감사보고서의 발행을 지연시키는가?

[Purpose]This study examines the relationship between macro－uncertainty and audit report lag. Also, it analyzes whether this relationship manifests differentially when considering audit hours by rank and auditor characteristics. [Methodology]For analysis, we use a sample of listed firms for the period from 2014 to 2019. Audit report lag was proxied by the number of days from the fiscal year－end to the audit report date. Macro－uncertainty was measured using the volatility index VKOSPI provided by KRX. [Findings]The analysis yields the following results. Firstly, it confirms an increase in audit report lag under high uncertainty. This could be interpreted as auditors increasing audit efforts in response to a rise in audit workload under uncertainty. Secondly, the relation between uncertainty and audit report lag becomes more pronounced in subsamples where audit hours put into by junior and senior staff are high. Thirdly, the relationship between uncertainty and audit report is stronger for Big4 and industry specialist auditors. This could be interpreted as auditors with higher reputation risk or litigation risk allocating relatively more audit effort in response to increased audit risks under uncertainty. [Implications]Despite previous research indicating that uncertainty reduces audit fees and audit hours, this study’s results suggest that reduced audit fees or audit hours does not necessarily imply a decrease in audit effort. Our results provide insight to investors and auditors in providing evidence that increased audit report lag may be due to external environmental factors rather than an increase in firm－specific risk factors.

Political affiliation, cash flow volatility, and debt maturity in China

Political affiliation, cash flow volatility, and debt maturity in China

Does analysts’ industrial concentration affect the quality of their forecasts?

We examine the association between financial analysts’ industrial concentration and the quality of their earnings forecasts. We find that analysts’ forecast quality, measured by forecast accuracy, forecast informativeness, and forecast timeliness, is positively associated with analysts’ industrial concentration on firm coverage, suggesting that allocation of effort and resources to the concentrated industries helps promote the quality of earnings forecasts. We also find that the positive relation of analysts’ industrial concentration with forecast accuracy and informativeness (forecast timeliness) is more (less) pronounced for firms faced with fiercer industrial product market competition, higher firm-specific risk, and/or higher information opacity. Overall, our results highlight the importance of analysts’ industrial concentration in contributing to the quality of their earnings forecasts.

FIRM-SPECIFIC RISK, GROWTH OPTIONS, AND INNOVATION RENT

The greater the firm-specific risk, the more valuable are the innovative opportunities underlying the growth options, and the greater the innovation rent. We examine whether firm-specific risk drives the firm’s innovation rent. We find that the firm-specific risk positively moderates the association between firm innovativeness and firm surplus. Innovation rent is the change in firm surplus per unit change in the knowledge capital (accumulated R&D stock). The firm surplus is the excess market value of the firm over shareholder expectations. We further examine whether the growth options embedded in the firm’s assets mediate the association between firm innovativeness and firm surplus. Growth options positively mediate the association between knowledge capital and firm surplus. The firm-specific risk enhances the value of innovative opportunities underlying the firm’s growth options that are exercised such that the firm earns a value surplus. Our results are consistent with the strategic rent model and emerging behavioural theory.

The Nexus Between Information Asymmetry and Liquidity of Stock: Evidence from the Indian Market

This study intended to explore the influence of informational asymmetry on stock liquidity in India. After controlling for the effects of firm-specific risk and investor sentiment, the results show that informational asymmetry, as measured by the delay factors has a significant positive association with illiquidity, indicating that market liquidity decreases with less transparency and a high level of informational asymmetry. The results also show that investor sentiment has a significant association with illiquidity, whereas firm-specific risk and illiquidity seem to have no noticeable relationship. The empirical results are validated using a dynamic panel-data approach, with two-stage GMM and remain robust. Theoretically, this study extends the existing literature on liquidity by offering new evidence from a prospective market like India. In practical terms, the findings of this study would help the stock exchange regulators and other regulatory bodies to strengthen the process of information dissemination and sensitise market participants and investors by maintaining a smooth flow of information. JEL Codes: G11, G12, G4, G32

Precautionary motive or private benefit motive for holding cash: Evidence from CEO ownership

Precautionary motive or private benefit motive for holding cash: Evidence from CEO ownership

Does corporate risk management lead to risk mitigation and firm performance? Evidence from Asian emerging markets

PurposeThis study aims to verify the significance of Andersen (2008) corporate risk management (CRM) framework in Asian emerging markets (AEMs) to control firm risk and improve firm performance.Design/methodology/approachThe cross-sectional analyses are performed on a sample of 4,609 firms across nine Asian emerging countries using 2SLS estimation technique.FindingsThe empirical findings show that the adoption of CRM not only enhances firm performance by increasing the firm ability to capitalize on the market opportunity but also plays a significant role in reducing firm risk. The findings of this study assert that by institutionalizing risk management practices into an integrated CRM framework, the firm can reap multiple benefits by maintaining better contractual agreements and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders.Originality/valueThe study shifts the focus of CRM away from Western countries toward AEMs, which has been afflicted by high risks and uncertainties. The effectiveness of CRM against firm risk is established by dividing firm risk into firm-specific risk and systematic risk. Furthermore, this study also establishes that CRM not only leads to high returns but also reduces firm operational and production costs. Overall, the study provides a compelling argument to implement CRM for improving organizational performance and managing risks in a strategic and integrated manner. The findings are also relevant to risk management practitioners, as well as to academicians interested in the broader fields of corporate finance and strategy.