Terry Cooke

The Impact of Size, Stock Market Listing and Industry Type on Disclosure in the Annual Reports of Japanese Listed Corporations

Abstract This paper represents a contribution to rigorous testing of Japanese financial reporting and specifically reports on the impact of size, stock market listing and industry type on disclosure, both voluntary and mandatory, in the annual reports of Japanese listed corporations. The topic is of interest because findings in one country may not be applicable to Japan because of its so-called unique business environment and unique culture. It is found that size and listing status are important explanatory variables. In addition, manufacturing corporations were found to disclose significantly more information than other types of Japanese corporations. The interaction between industry type and quotation status was also found to be significant.

The Impact of Accounting Principles on Profits: The US versus Japan

Abstract Weetman and Gray (1991) sought to add quantitative information to the extant qualitative literature on differences in profits reported under US GAAP with those in the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. This paper introduces Japanese companies to such analysis and seeks to add to both the qualitative and quantitative literature on profit comparisons. In attempting to undertake such work, the paper serves to highlight the difficulties of trying to compare financial statements in Japan with those published in the US and as a consequence the problem of undertaking quantitative analysis. On the basis of a case study approach, there is some evidence that the profits of companies prepared in accordance with Japanese GAAP are considerably more prudent than if prepared in accordance with US GAAP for companies operating in the financial sector. Such differences may not be so pronounced in the non-financial sector.

Linear information dynamics, aggregation, dividends and ‘dirty surplus’ accounting

Abstract We generalise the Ashton et al. (2003) Aggregation Theorem by demonstrating how the market value of equity disaggregates into its recursion and real (adaptation) components when the linear information dynamics incorporate a dirty surplus adjustment and also, when dividends are paid. Our analysis shows that ignoring the dirty surplus adjustment will, in general, induce biases into the functional expressions for the recursion and real (adaptation) values of equity. Furthermore, we show that whilst the recursion value of equity is independent of dividend policy, the real (adaptation) value of equity is affected by the dividend policy invoked by the firm. Tabulated results show that the difference in equity value between a dividend and a non-dividend paying firm is most pronounced at low levels of the recursion value.

A UK Empirical Test of the Larson-Gonedes Exchange Ratio Model

Abstract This paper adopts the Larson-Gonedes merger exchange ratio determination model to investigate the bargaining area in UK takeovers involving share-for-share exchanges. The model focuses on price-earnings ratios rather than share price returns and so is more consistent with practical valuation methods than other approaches. The basic model is extended for the UK to consider both cash alternative offers and mixed offers involving cash and equity consideration. The model is tested on a sample of 95 UK takeovers between 1984 and 1988 using consecutively unadjusted, FT All Share Index adjusted and beta adjusted price bases. The analysis adopts the conventional chi-square test used by Conn and Nielsen but, in addition, a new test is developed based on a Generalised Likelihood Ratio. We find that on an unadjusted price basis there is greater support for the Larson-Gonedes model in the UK than Conn and Nielsen found for the US. However, our extended model based on adjusted prices provides more cautious su...

The Diagnosis and Resolution of Emerging Issues in Corporate Disclosure Practices

Abstract This paper calls the attention of the accounting profession in the UK to a central but neglected process in accounting regulation, i.e. emerging issue diagnosis (EID). A framework for discussing EID is presented in terms of three critical components: inputs, resolution characteristics and outputs. The United States model, which may be influential for future corporate reporting in the UK, is discussed. In addition, consideration is given to a UK example—the City Code on Take-overs and Mergers—of the resolution of emerging issues.

The Information Content of Defence Documents in UK Hostile Takeover Bids

This study examines the defence documents of 79 hostile take-over bids of publicly quoted companies in the UK during the period 1988-1990 using logit regression and discriminant analysis to determine if any of the 41 identified characteristics of the defence document and seven continuous control variables lead to a higher or lower probability of a successful defence. The study finds that managers in target companies are unable to introduce new information in their defence documents that materially affects the outcome of a bid. This suggests that managers may advise shareholders to reject a bid for other reasons, such as to drive up the offer price. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 1998.