The Association between Lifo Reserve and Equity Risk: An Empirical Assessment

Posted: 1 Nov 2001

See all articles by Uday Chandra

Uday Chandra

SUNY University at Albany

Bradley M. Childs

Belmont University - Massey School of Business

Byung T. Ro

Purdue University - Krannert School of Management

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Abstract

This study examines the association between a firm's LIFO reserve and its equity risk. We hypothesize that LIFO reserve has favorable implications for equity risk as it confers tax benefits and represents unbooked profits, which prompt firms to lower their borrowings and effectively increase equity. Consistent with this hypothesis, we document a negative association between LIFO reserve and two measures of risk: standard deviation of stock returns and beta. We document a negative association between LIFO reserve and debt, consistent with the proposition that LIFO reserve and debt are tax shield substitutes. However, the negative association between LIFO reserve and equity risk remains even when the level of debt of firms is controlled. Further tests show that adjusting the denominator of the debt-equity ratio for LIFO reserve improves its explanatory power with regard to risk, consistent with the notion that LIFO reserve is viewed as a component of equity in assessing risk. Additional tests indicate that LIFO reserve has explanatory power with regard to future risk. Also, variability of LIFO reserve is positively associated with equity risk, suggesting that firms with high temporal variability in their LIFO reserve may be unable to fully avail of the future benefits of LIFO accounting. Collectively, these results indicate that LIFO reserve is negatively associated with equity risk and conveys information that is potentially useful in assessing equity risk.

Keywords: Equity risk; LIFO reserve; Inventory valuation

JEL Classification: M41, G12

Suggested Citation

Chandra, Uday and Childs, Bradley M. and Ro, Byung T., The Association between Lifo Reserve and Equity Risk: An Empirical Assessment. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=289201

Uday Chandra (Contact Author)

SUNY University at Albany ( email )

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Bradley M. Childs

Belmont University - Massey School of Business ( email )

1900 Belmont Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37212-3757
United States

Byung T. Ro

Purdue University - Krannert School of Management ( email )

1310 Krannert Building
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1310
United States
765-494-4512 (Phone)
765-494-9658 (Fax)

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