Alternative Accounting Methods, Information Asymmetry and Liquidity:
‘Theory and Evidence
Eli Bartov; Gordon M. Bodnar
The Accounting Review, Vol. 71, No. 3 Mul., 1996), 397-418.
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Alternative Accounting Methods,
Information Asymmetry and
Liquidity: Theory and Evidence
Eli Bartov
New York University
Gordon M. Bodnar
University of Pennsylvania
ABSTRACT: Previous research has demonstrated that information asymmetry
translates into higher transaction casts for trading shares of the firm which, in turn,
raise the required rate of return and fower current stock price. The information
asymmetry perspective suggests that, ceteris panbus, managers Wishing 0 maxi-
mize the value of their firms have incentives to reduce the degree of information
asymmetry by switching to newly available accounting techniques which make
financial statements more informative to investors, Fitms with greater infarmation
asymmetry are predicted to be more likely to switch to more informative accounting
methods when they become available. Tests on the chaice of functional currency
among U.S. multinational firms support these predictions after controlling for
variables such as the debt-equity ratio, interest coverage, size, and the relative size
of the foreign currency adjustment in the financial statement.
Key Words: Accounting choice, Information asymmetry, Liquidity, Share turnover,
Foreign currency translation.
Data Availability: Data can be retrieved from sources identified in the artcte.
We woul
keto thank Yakow Acihud, Lovey rows, Pal Healy, ils Hakansson, Bob Holthausen, Apil Klein,
Dave Larcker, Ferrando Penalva, Sieve Pesan, Jostiua Ronen, Chit Saudh, Robert Verecchia, and pateioans ia
seminarsat Baruch allege, UC Berkeley (Haas), SUNY arDutfai, MIT (Sleas), NYU Stem} Penneyvania What.on),
Rutgers (Camden), and Tel Aviv University for helpful earsments and insshts. We aso ackoowledge cansbutons of
an ad hoe arocite editor, We thank Basra leraings fr research suistance. This paper, Tortely ted, "Account
Choices and the Information Environment. Theeey and Evidence." was also pretented at fe Fast Intemational
{Conference an Contemporary Accounting [sues ia Taipei, Tawan, and athe Eth Anal Conference on Finan sl
eonomies and Acecunting it Ann Athot. Mietigas. Both audorsacknowledge financial suppor fan the John M.Olin
Foundation.
Sidi day 1994
Accepted Novanber 1995,
397398, ‘The Accounting Review, July 1996
L INTRODUCTION
fundamental question in accounting research is how accounting choices are made by
hhas demonstrated that variables such as financial leverage and size are important for
explaining cross-sectional variation in aécounting choices, one rationale for accounting choice
that has received less attention is the information asymmetry perspective. Loosely stated, this
perspective suggests that value-maximizing managers have incentives to chaase more informta-
tive accounting techaiques 10 reduce the degree of informacion asymmmetcy among market
participants
Previous studies demonstrate that greater information asymnmetcy among market paticipants
translates into higher transaction costs and lower liquidity for trading shares of the firm, thus
raising the required rate of return and lowering current stock prices. In Diamond and Verrecchia
(1991), for example, a credible commitment by managers to improve diselasures (i... increase
the precision of public information about firm value) cesults in higher current stock price due to
reduced information asymmetry and increased liquidity. However, improved disclosure by the
firm is also associated with costs, such as preparation costs and proprietary costs. Thus, stared
more formally, the information asymmetry perspective implies that managers maximizing firm
value will choose accounting techoiques, from the set, available, that reduce information
asymmetry to the point where the expected benefit of additional disclosure is offset by the
expected costs of making the disclosure. When this equilibrium is perturbed by the introduction
of anew opportunity for improved disclosure, managers should choose this new technique ifthe
expected benefits greater than the expected cost af implementation. However, al firms are aot
equally likely to choose the new accounting method that improves disclosure. As explained in
detail below, firms with high information asymmetry are more likely to choose the new
accounting method than firms for which information asymmetry does not represent a serious
problem.t
“To test this implication of the information asymmetry perspective, two problems raust be
addressed. The first problem is the identification of a credible new disclosure opportunity
{accounting technique) that would decrease information asymmetry among market participants
boy increasing te informativeness of the financial statements toinvestars, We testthe information
asymmetcy perspective's implications with respect to the choice of the functional currency for
foreign subsidiaries as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 52 (Foreign
Carreney Translation). This accounting choice provides a suitable framework for hee reasons.
First, firms ean choose between two different accounting methorls—cither the current rate
method (foreign cucrency as functional curreney) a the teraperal method (dollaras the functional
currency)—for measuring and reporting the impact of exchange rate changes an foreign
‘operations. Although SFAS No. 52 provides guidelines for choosing the functional currency,
these guidelines are broad and itis possible for a frm to justify either choice, providing managers
with some discretion. Second, there is both anecdotal (ex ante) and empirical (ex post) evidence.
(o suggest that the choice of the foreign currency as functional currency results in financial
+ While ou study i the fist Bul on price beoretial work chat alates information asyrumeuy co liguidhty and frm
Value in aveffou a eabance understanding of aceourting choices, thet exists pir tesetch (eg Bawnex etal 1975:
Holthaysen and Letewich 1983; Holthassea 1990) that bas considered the "information peespecive." a concept
sormetihat elated (the information asymmetry perspective. The nfermation perspective suggests that manazes
choose secounting mathods that provie racket parties with beer infertation abo he eurrent an faire cae
Hows of thee fara: However, Holihausen (1980, 716) notes tha “the infor aton perspective admitedly nat well
specified," and tbat i may be dificule to distinguish fom de conxacting perspective of aecouning chalet.Bartov and Bodnar—Aluernative Accounting Methods, Information Asyoumetty and Liquidity 399
statements which provide better information about a firm's future cash flows than the ché
the dollar as functional currency. Third, finally, this choice is required of all U.S. multinationals,
so there is a large sample.
‘The second problem with testing this perspective isthat the degree of information asymmetry
among market participants is not observable; an empirical proxy for this variable must be
identified. We use two measures based upon the volume of trade in the firm's common stock.
‘While clearly imperfect, these measures reflect the fact that trading volume is relatively low in
socks where uninformed investors perceive high information asymmetry (e.g., Glosten and
Milgrom 1985: Merton 1987).
‘Our empirical findings support the predictions of the information asymmetry perspective.
Specifically, measures of information asymmeiry are positively telaied to the likelihood of
choosing the foreign currency as functional currency by the sample firms. This finding holds up
‘even after controlling for other variables shown by prior research to be imiportaat in explaining,
0.32), the interest coverage variable becomes HLICOV and LLICOV is zet0. To
consider the importance of the telative size of reporced foreign activities for the choice of
functional currency, we caleulate the currency adjustment ratio for ficrai (CURADJ,) as the ratio
‘of the absolute value of the total foreign currency adjustment reported in the financial statement
{income statement item plus the change in the Cumulative Translation Adjustment) to total assets
for the year 1982."
Pia sie is ot incloded ince cepresson a it contalied fr diecty i the tet that allow. Fis wit standard
deviations of eatings changes, OCGEPS), which are rooce tha fiteen stasdard deviations away ftom the can ae
‘iopged (3 firms. The results of he cegression are (standard errs in pareatheses
INFOASYM, = «O507 + 0255 @AEPS), + €,
e018) (133)
‘The regression iscun on 717 observations (due wo data availabilty calculate the standard eco of ernigs), andi is
signiesntat the § percent eve, Indeed, te regzession's explanatory power issonger than i ppears a the dependent
‘arable ie iezaze wth eror. Stil, Uispeablem ste serious fr 09 purpose the parameterenimates are urine
‘Theeesidual cy eptesets ou ist adjusted tessureofifarmaionasyanmeny fo fam i(INFOASYML), We do aot
ssethusretidvalsnaval sharetorevermessoreforour Univariate ss since the assumption ecessaty forthe wrists
ete that the observations ate indepandent (3 islaied, Islet, we ue the Unadwled annwsl share trmover,
IxFoasyM.
*Onservations with fewer than ten days oF daly share turnover data within the four windows around easnings
tnncuncerents are excluded
he foe vations fos varsble(727) sess chan he fal samle(788)3¢ sores donot separately repack,
loresgncurcency adjuvant he neomestateten tag ioctl Algo, we chase [96224 oppared tothe Yen
‘of se ewte so tha all Gens’ foreign currency adjustments are based upon sila exchange rate changes.408 ‘The Accounting Review, Tuly 1996
Data Deseription
For the sample firms and for al other Compustat fiems, table | reports @ comparison of the
fest, second, and third quactiles for five descriptive statistics: firm size, coal sales, debt-equity
ratio, dividend yield and sales growth. (Descriptive statisties are for 1983, acbitrarily chosen.)
Both firm size and total sales for the sample firms exceed those for Compustat firms that are not
in the samiple. This finding is consistent with prior research (e.s.. Bartov and Bodnar 1994) and
reflects the fact that multinational companies are Jarger than other publicly traded companies.
‘Table | also shows thatthe sample firms have a higher dividend yield and lower leverage than
‘Compustat ems that are notin the sample. These findings arcexpected because larger firms tend
‘obe less leveraged and to pay higher dividends, Finally, the five-year average growth ratc of sales
does not differ substantially between the sample firms and the remaiaing Compustat firms
Based on major Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) groups, the proportion of firms
choosing the dollar as functional currency and firms choosing the foreign currency is coughly
similar (see discussion of Table 5 below). The 630 (158) firms that have chosen the foreign
currency (dollar) as their Functional currency are from 50 (36) two-digit SIC industries. A broad
cross-section of industries is represented in both sub-samples,
V. EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE.
Univariate Tests
Results of univariate tests for our prediction based upon the information asymmetry
perspective, along with each of the control variables are shown in table 2."" The differences in the
means of the variables between the two groups of firms are always in the direction predicted
above, A two-sample t-test is carried out to determine whether the differences in means are
statistically significant. Each hypothesis is supported at standard levels of significance. **
Our proxies for information asymmetcy are both different between firmschoosing he foreign
‘currency as functional currency and firms choosing the dollar: Forthe univariate tests, the residual
cumover measure is replaced by the raw share turnover variable, [NFOASYM.” The mean of
INFOASYM is significantly higher for firms choosing the dollar, 0.68 versus 0.50. The results
ate similar for the daily turnover measure of information asymmetry, despite fewer observations.
‘The mean of INFOAS YM2 is significantly higher for firms choosing the dollar. 0.72 versus 0.49.
Given the market perception thatthe choice of foreign currency is more informative about the tue
economic performance of the firm, these results are supportive of the information asymmetry
perspective as @ hypothesis for explaining accounting choices.
‘The results for the control variables are also in agreement with the predictions outlined above,
Firms choosing the foreign currency as functional currency are larger on average than ficms
choosing the dollar. The former have a mean marker value of 5.36 (measured as the natural log
of firm size in millions of dollars), whereas the latter havea mean market value of 4.95. Debtto-
equity ratios are also significantly different between these two types of fiems; firms choosing the
foreign currency as functional curtency are less leveraged. The mean debt-o-equity ratio for
2isignificance levels for all ests are beted pan ne-ted cst
2ntann-Whieney U-test are slso conducted as e-paranttrc univariate tess ofthe hypotheses. Theresals ofthe Mann=
‘Whitney U-ess are similar othe parametric test wil theexcepuion thane eterest coverage ratio ores With IA
leverage isnot signet
Asrnemioned, we donot Use the residl nual share tuover measue, INFOASYMI, for ourunivariste est, a8 the
ssumptionaf independence among te observations s ste. they al wil suffer fromthe same estimation etre We
therefore use the aw annual snare turnover variable, enated INFOASYM, in ks place or ave unvarae tet409
Bartow and Bosinar—Altemative Accounting Methods, Information Asymmetry and Liquidity
a0 ostr owt ors ort soot ast
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Conse £0 wpe 10 0 worpayy 0 ois
SJUSUYISZ wormed acaos II
sony rsndanay pus aidureg ang 409 sopspers sanduosog
TATEVL‘The Accounting Review, July 1996
9 ap toa ae soe UE UNE pau poe ch on we SSA
0990 (Ry 8100 zetVD ROD Int sor L120 trtoo ravano
(wos0aLe@
szso 20) KE ISTL—FRGST ODL 99 toe lesz wR AQDINE
(ceu
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cuRADI 013 1.000
e384 e727
“Table Notes: INFOASYM is the residual fom across sectional regression of onal she tutoveeon the snd deviation
cf earmngs over a ive year ier; al arer vaibles age defined in ble 2. The tepered numbers are Pearson come aon
coelicients,
Significant athe & percent evel for ewe tied tet,
Sigifesn ac the S peteent evel fr ewov tale test
‘The multivariate regression results are fully supportive of the un variate results. In particular,
the coefficient estimates of both share turnover variables (i.e. the proxies for information
asymmetry) are negative and significant atthe one percent level, Since shace turnover s inversely
correlated with the level of information asymmetry, these negative estimates suggest that
information asymmetry is associated with the choice of functional currency in the predicted
direction, Therefore, information asymmetry appears to be an important variable in explaining
the use of functional currency, even after controlling for all the other variables discussed above."*
‘The coeiticients on the control variables are also consistent with their univariate results, with the
‘exception of firm size in panel B which is aot significantly different from zero.
Sensitivity Tests
One concern in interpreting the results shown in table 4s a possible confounding effect due
toindustry. Table S displays the distribution of firms within each industry group according totheit
‘choice of funetional currency. Inevery industry group.a minority affirms chose the dollar asthe
functional currency." An industry effect appears unlikely because ofthe broad crass-section of
industries represented inthe sample and the similar proportion of firms choosing each functional
currency within each industry group. Nevertheless, we test for the presence ofan industcy effect
Since NASDAQ-teporteé volume may double or even triple count the res from he sller tothe pachater (tothe
Jnchsionofimeealerwansacions, we eplicae te analysis tepocedin panels A and Baer delering all NASDAQ
firms While thisresuled in a oss of 125 (8) observahons far panel AB) the rescis(na reported ee for parsimony)
were simiee
Our ests cover only (86 dalla frns and 626 fosian currency firms hecate twa fies ofeach typ ate dropped de
‘o-nasepaned SIC code ae wo foreign cutenzy fms with SIC cedes between 100-599 (Agreulture are dropped 3s
there ae ne companies tha selected the della asthe funtional crtenc in his 2pBartov and Bodnar~-Altemnative Accounting Methods, Information Asymmetry and Liquidity 413.
TABLE 4
Logistic Model of Decision to Choose Foreign Currency as Functional Currency
Panel A: Multwariate Logistic Regression with INFOASYM!
Number of Observations = 666
Dependent Variable 1, firm chooses foreign currency as functional currency én = 547)
0, if fiem chooses dollar as functional currency {a = 119)
INFOASYMI FSIZE DEBTEQ LLICOV_HLICOV_CURADJ
Expected Sign 2 - + = - = +
Coefficient 058 = 07130116 = 0300 0.002.058 0.031
Sid Ersor 0353) 236) 0.058) @.12) 009) 0036) (007)
Significance 0050 = oor -0m23- 000827053 0.000
(one-tailed)
Chy-Squaced statistic (Hy: all model parameters (expect the intercept) ate zero}: 59.74 (p=0.000)
Ponel B: Mudtivariare Logistic Regression with INFOASYM2
Number of Observations = 384
Dependent Vaciable | if fim chooses foreign currency as functional currency (n= 326)
= O.if fem chooses dollar as functional currency in = 58)
Incercept INFOASYM? FSIZE DEBTEQ LLICOV_HLICOV_CURADI
Expected Sign > = + - - ~ +
Coefficient 2575-1028 0045-0407 0015-0095 a.028
Std Ercor 6%) (0340) (0.086) (0.223) 010) 0030) 0.009)
Significance 900 00018010035 01084 = 0.028 0.004
(one-tailed)
Chi-Squared statistic (yall model pacameters (expect the intercept) are zero}: 30:89 (p=0.001)
Table Notes: Vanbles areas defined i ables 2 and, There are 122 fewer observations thatthe fl sample (a 788in panel
-Abecause of missing aloes for INFOASYSM2 (3) er CURADI (3. Pael Bas fever cservtions heeauseINFOASYM2.
‘ould be constructed ot aly 401 fers of ow sample 2nd sore of Bese firs did no have data ealeatate CURADS, Teste
or LLICOV are based upon ine pedienon of 2 negative elie
ditecily by replicating the univariate tests (or the information asymmetry peespective by major
industry groups
‘These results are presented in table 5 and show that both the cross-industry mean (0.669) and
the median (0.731) of INFOASYM are substantially higher for firms using the dollar as the
functional currency than for those firms using the foreign currency as the functional eurrency
(mean = 0.492, median = 0.488). The differences in means and medians are both statistically
significant atthe one percent evel. In addition, the difference has the correct sign for 14 cut of
the (7 industry groups, and a signs test indicates that this ratio is significant at the ewo percent414 ‘The Accounting Review, July 1996
TABLES
Univariate Tests of the Information Hypothesis by Industry
Mean INFOASYM for Mean INFOASYM for
firms using the Dollar firms using the Foreign
asthe Functional Currency as the Functional
Irahsey Currency ON Currency Ny Difference
Mining oot 15, 0.499 » 0.098
‘Construction 0361 6 0.463 7 0.106
ood and Tobaceo 0732 5 044s 2 0.287
Textiles 0.764 2 sis 2 0249
‘Wood and Furnicure 0337 2 0352 " 0015
Paper and Books 0475 9 0304 26 0.081
Chemicals and Petroleum 0.325 4 oaks 36 0.159
Plastic and Cement 0.639 4 0.834 20 0.205
Steel and Machinery ara B 0.470 158, 0.002
Electronic Equipment 1072 18 asst 32 0st
“Transport Equipment 0753 6 osi2 32 241
Medical Equipment 0.788 n 0599 45 0.186
Jewelry and Tays 0.835 a 0.488, 2 0347
“Transpocation and Utilities 0928 10 613 te ots
Wholesale Trade 0788, 1 0320 a 0.428
Retail Trade 08s? 6 0.626 ” 0.231
Services 0703 9 0.606 2% 0.103
CrosseIndustry Mean 0.669 92 0.178
Std Excor of the Mean 00447)
p-value iooory
Cross-Industry Median 0.731 oss 0.20
p-value (0.0071
“Tale Notes: The variable INFOASYM is 25 defined io able 2. Agriculture i ited ftom this industry analy a boc of,
he sample rms inthsindosy ehse te foregacurteneyasa foeigncurtencyInaditon, twa femsafeacheype me deop pe
ue to missing SIC codes Ths, tal delaras functional eaten fas mires 136 and tl fate cuneney as fatal
‘arency fem ntmber 626, P-value are fr onetaled este
level. Similar results (not reported) are obtained (or the daily turnover measure of information
asymmesry (INFOASYM2), despite the smaller number of observations, These results increase
the confidence chat industry effects are not influencing the results
‘A second type of corroborating evidence examines the change in share tumover following
the selection of a foreign curvency as the functional currency, ie., 2 switeh to the new more
informative accounting method. If this switch reduces information asymmetry as hypothesized,
then theory (Diamond and Verrecchia 1991) implies that liquidity ((rading volume) should goup.
Aces to ad dsr contol dummies wo the enulvarne logic eegressions resultedin a allure ofthe estimation to
covert.Baztov and Bodnar—Altemative Accounting Methods, Information Asymmetry and Liquidity 415,
We test for this implication by comparing the change in annual trading volume in the year
following the selection of the functional currency. The change in annual trading volume for the
i® firm (AVOL,) is measured as the share turnover ratio (INFOASYM) of the t® firm in the year
following the selection of the functional currency (year 1) minus the share turnover ratio in the,
‘year the Selection was made (year 0), scaled by the share tumover ratio in year 0. Table 6 shows
that, as expected, the mean of AVOL for firms selecting a foreign currency as the functional
currency is positive (0.259) and significant atthe one percent evel; the mean of AVOL for firms
selecting the dollar as the functional currency is negative (-0.091,) but insignificant at conven-
tional levels. The difference in means is highly significant, indicating that the trading volume of
firms selecting a foreign currency as the functional currency increased relative to the trading,
volume of firms selecting the dollar as the functional currency.” Similar results hold for the
median AOL.
VI. CONCLUSION
‘This paper explores the relevance of information asymmetries for explaining accounting
policy by focusing on the informational effects of alternative financial reporting methods on firm
value, Firms operating in environments of varying complexity have diffecent degrees of
information asymmetry due to the limited flexibility of the cequiced ceporting technology. This
information asymractry among market participants translates into higher transaction costs for
trading shares ofthe firm: these higher transaction costs raise the required cate of retum and, thus,
lower current stock prices. Ceteris paribus, managers wishing to maximize the value oftheir firm
A patel groblem with this rest thatthe definition of AVOL. assumes that dhe mnfluence ofthe selection af the
anctonaleureney an Wading volume occurs in the yea following the sleetion rather dha inthe year ofthe witch
itself Totestthe sensi ofthe esulea this definition, we replicate the estedefining the change io wading volume
asthe share wrnover of te frm inthe year following the selection ofthe functional cureney mir te share "rover
Inthe sear prior othe year te selection was mace {year I) ealed bythe shace turnover in year—1, Resuls using tis
‘measure (nareepored are simula to ioe eported ia table suggesting thaou findings arc ot sensiveta Ihe chee
‘ofthe base year whe calvlaing the change in Wading volume.
TABLES
‘Tests for Changes in Trading Volume Following the Selection of the Functional Currency
x Mean AVOL — Medan AVOL
Firms choosing a foreign currency
as the functional eurrency 592 029 0087
‘Firms using only the dollar
as the functional currency 144 0.091 0267
p-values for two-sample tests ofthe null
hypothesis that VOL,...,2 AOL gy 0.00 0.00
‘Table Notes. The change a share wmoser fo he fim (AVOL,) is messued a the hase turner ratio af He Feria he
yes Tllowing the selection of he functional urency minus he'sbate wove in he yea the selection was est epated
{he annual financial statements (year 0), seated by the share arover a year 0. N iste munher of abserations.416 ‘The Accounting Review, July 1996
will have incentives to reduce the degree of information asymmetry among market participants
by switching (o new accounting techniques that make financial statements more informative co
investors.
‘We test the information asymmetry perspective on the choice of the functional currency as
required by SFAS No. 52. Results ftom both univariate and multivariate tests support the
implications of the information asymmetry perspective, Measures of information asymmetry
based upon trading volume-are significantly related to firms" probabilities of choosing the foreign,
‘currency as their functional currency in the predicted direction. This finding, is consistent with
high information asymmetry firms reducing informational asymmetries and increasing Hiquidity
‘through improved diselosureby switching to moreinformative accounting methods. This relation
holds even after controlling for economic characteristics ofthe firms, other variables commonly
used in prior research to explain accounting choice, and anecdotal explanations for the choice of
functional currency.
Icis important to note that, while the empirical implications of the information asymmetry
perspective are borne out by the data, there may be other theorics with similar implications. As
Friedman(1953,9) states, "ifthere is one hypothesis thats consistent with the availableevidence,
there are always an infinite number that are,” Our assumptions—which include (1) the currentrate
method is more informative than the temporal method and thus reduces information asymmetry,
(2) managers are tirm-value raximizers, and (3) the choice of the functional currency is
discretionary—appear reasonable, but they represent generalizations that are not likely to be true
in every case.* Thus, the interpretation of the results should be viewed cautiously at this point.
We expect future research to develop methods and identify settings which allow further
‘examination of the information asymmetry perspective and other theories of accounting choice.
For exampleunder a altenative hypothesis there may havc heen no discretion for managersinselecting the funcional
‘currency. 2nd the guidelines providecby the regulators (Rased upon ater economic tefrs) result es wth high
information asynmety choosing the foeign cutrency a funcional euteney. Under such a nepretation, the ess
in tabled age of less eeonomie interest than (he resulta table 6 and he “credit forthe proved ud celine
fromthe switch othe foreigncurtency athe funcional cureney esto regulators nett vale -mmevizing manages
Sul ca main result Rel: electing & more informasive accountng med leads eo improved Laid.
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