Wessel M. Badenhorst

The value-relevance of listed associates: a cross-country investigation

Prior research findings are not conclusive on whether or not equity accounted carrying amounts and disclosed fair values of listed associates are value-relevant in different countries. Using a variety of statistical methods, this study compares the value-relevance of disclosed fair values of listed associates in South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. It finds that value-relevance differs between sample countries, especially when firms in the globalised financial services and mining industries are excluded from the sample, despite increased convergence in accounting standards. This study contributes to the existing literature by directly comparing the cross-country value-relevance of disclosed fair values of listed associates. Findings highlight that generalisation of value-relevance findings across countries and industries should be done with caution.

Fair value measurements of exchange-traded funds

Purpose - – This paper aims to investigate the extent to which different prices within the bid-ask spread are used for fair value measurements and evaluate the potential consequences thereof. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper investigates different Level 1 fair value measurements of exchange-traded funds’ (ETFs) equity investments. Using descriptive methods, it compares actual and stated fair value measurement policies. In addition, comparative value relevance of these measurements is investigated in regression analysis. Findings - – Most fair value measurements are based on closing prices, but stated accounting policies and actual measurements frequently differ. Results also show that the bid-close spread of underlying investments is value-relevant in determining the bid-close spreads of ETFs themselves. Research limitations/implications - – Findings are specific to unleveraged ETFs, the sample country and sample period used and only apply to investments in listed equities. Conclusions from this study may assist in predicting market perceptions of the risk of listed equity portfolios. Practical implications - – This paper sheds light on the practical impact of the recent change in fair value measurement guidance. Originality/value - – This study provides evidence on the size of the bid-ask spread of actual investment portfolios and its potential impact. It shows that bid-close spreads of underlying investments are used to price the bid-close spreads of ETFs themselves and that stated and actual accounting policies often differ. Findings imply that standard-setters might be influenced by actual accounting practices.

Premiums and discounts of exchanged-traded funds

The objective of this study is to determine whether the spread in underlying exchange-traded fund (ETF) investments is a significant cause of the premium/discount of the ETF. Spreads of underlying investment portfolios are alternatively calculated using weighted bid-ask and bid-close spreads for a sample of ETFs listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa from 2010 to 2014. Results show that spreads of underlying investment portfolios are positively associated with larger premiums/discounts of ETFs as a whole. However, stratified results show that this relationship exists only for premiums; underlying spreads are not significantly associated with discounts. In addition, the findings show that expense ratios offer a significant explanation for premiums/discounts of ETFs. This paper contributes to the existing literature by offering an explanation for the size of premiums of ETFs at reporting date. Its findings imply that relative illiquidity in the underlying portfolio of the ETF means that a premium will likely persist. A deeper understanding in this regard assists investors in determining whether an ETF premium is worth paying for. In addition, this paper reveals that premiums and discounts of ETFs do not always arise from the same causes and should be investigated as separate phenomena in future research.

Acquisitions and the value versus growth phenomenon

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether investors value the future growth from acquisitions and the subsequent realisations thereof accurately. Design/methodology/approach - The paper calculates conventional and adjusted market-to-book ratios and investigates abnormal cumulative returns over 20 quarters after portfolio formation for a sample of Standard & Poor’s 500 firms using a hedge portfolio and regression approach. Findings - Hedge portfolios formed using adjusted market-to-book ratios underperform conventional hedge portfolios over a five-year period. Dividing the hedge into its comprising elements reveals that the underperformance of the adjusted hedge is mainly caused by weaker returns from value firms. Research Limitations/implications - Findings are specific to large firms in a specific setting, and future research is needed to determine if findings are equally applicable to other situations. Findings imply that investors underrate the growth from new acquisitions and overrate the extent to which this has materialised. Practical Implications - The paper highlights that the extrapolation of future growth rates should be carefully considered in any equity valuation of a firm with current or past acquisitions. Originality/value - This paper shows that inaccurate valuation of the growth of new acquisitions and the realisation thereof is at least partially responsible for the value versus growth phenomenon. It shows that the accounting information could be improved and highlights the importance of extrapolating past growth rates with care.

The relationship between conservatism in financial reporting and subsequent equity returns

This study investigates whether or not long-term discretionary accounting conservatism has benefits for equity investors, as measured by long-term subsequent equity returns. Based on the long-term relationship between cash flows and earnings documented by Dechow (1994), this paper develops a new proxy for discretionary accounting conservatism. This proxy utilises earnings before interest and tax and cash flow generated by operations, highlighting conservative discretion within earnings. Importantly, and in contrast to prior research, this study controls for market assessments of the growth prospects of sample firms and finds that discretionary accounting conservatism is insignificantly related to subsequent equity returns, once market assessments of growth prospects have been controlled for. Compensating for cross-sectional differences, based on the relative gearing of firms, reveal that the relationship between subsequent equity returns and discretionary accounting conservatism remains insignificant, regardless of the level of gearing of the sample firm.