Disclosure Frequency and Information Asymmetry

54 Pages Posted: 15 Oct 2011

See all articles by Andrew Van Buskirk

Andrew Van Buskirk

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Accounting & Management Information Systems

Date Written: February 1, 2011

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate whether more frequent disclosure by firms is associated with lower levels of information asymmetry among investors. Using a panel of 386 firms in the U.S. retail sector, I find that the practice of regularly providing monthly revenue disclosures is not associated with reduced information asymmetry. In contrast, I find that more detailed (greater quantity) disclosure is associated with reduced information asymmetry. I provide preliminary evidence that the distinction between disclosure frequency and disclosure quantity is due to more frequent disclosure providing an incentive for increased private information acquisition by sophisticated investors. The results indicate that the relation between disclosure and information asymmetry is multi-dimensional and varies depending on the disclosure attribute being studied.

Keywords: Disclosure, Information Asymmetry, Earnings Announcements

JEL Classification: D82, G14, M41

Suggested Citation

Van Buskirk, Andrew, Disclosure Frequency and Information Asymmetry (February 1, 2011). Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1944307

Andrew Van Buskirk (Contact Author)

Ohio State University (OSU) - Department of Accounting & Management Information Systems ( email )

2100 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

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