Statistical studies of financial reports and stock markets
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the usefulness of statistical studies of financial reports and stock market data for improving corporate financial reports. Design/methodology/approach Analytical writing. Findings It is often claimed that statistical studies of co-variation between financial and stock market data can help set better financial reporting policy. Such co-variation, even when it can be estimated, tells us little about which financial reports help to make better financial decisions. A case in support of such claims remains to be made. Practical implications The readers are advised to be extremely careful in drawing inferences from studies of co-variation between accounting and stock market data for financial reporting policy. Social implications Inference from accounting empirical studies to policy needs better rationale to avoid bad policy consequences. Originality/value This paper raises original questions about policy inferences from a large class of empirical research in accounting.