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Research Article

Voluntary Disclosure, Analyst Following, ForecastAccuracy and Dispersion: Evidence From Korea

Ahn, Yoon-young, Jinho Chang, Jeonghee Lee

Sejong University
Yonsei University
Yonsei University

Published: January 2007 · Vol. 36, No. 3 · pp. 765-790
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Abstract

In this paper, we examined how the frequency of voluntary disclosure is associated with the number of analyst following and the analysts’ earnings forecast characteristics. We find that analysts are more attracted to the firms that provide greater level of voluntary disclosure. We also find that negative association between the frequency of voluntary disclosure and analysts’ forecasts error indicates that more frequent voluntary disclosures lowers analysts’ forecast error by reducing the uncertainty in analysts’ earnings forecast. Finally we find that the increased level of voluntary disclosure reduces dispersion of forecasted earnings. Our findings suggest that voluntary disclosure plays a role in reducing information asymmetry between firm and analysts as well as among analysts.
Keywords: Voluntary DisclosureAnalyst FollowingForecast AccuracyForecast Dispersion