Showing papers on "Cash flow statement published in 2017"

The Economic Consequences Associated with Integrated Report Quality: Capital Market and Real Effects

Abstract: We examine whether integrated report quality (IRQ) is associated with stock liquidity, firm value, expected future cash flows, and cost of capital. Our study is motivated by the recent focus on sustainable capitalism and the global interest shown by firms, investors, and regulators in integrated reporting. We use data from South Africa because it is the only country where integrated reporting is mandatory. We use a measure of IRQ based on proprietary data from EY, which rates these reports as part of its Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards. We find that IRQ is positively associated with stock liquidity, measured using bid-ask spreads, and firm value, measured using Tobin’s Q. Our results are consistent whether we analyze levels or changes. When we decompose the firm value into an expected future cash flows effect and a cost of capital effect, we find that the positive association between IRQ and firm value is attributable mainly to the cash flows effect, which is consistent with investors revising estimates of future cash flows upward as a result of better understanding the firm’s capitals and strategy or future cash flows increasing because of improved internal decision making. We provide evidence on these two explanations and find it is more likely that our results are attributable to improved decision making by managers than to analysts forecasting future cash flows more accurately.

Precautionary Savings with Risky Assets: When Cash is Not Cash

Abstract: U.S. industrial firms invest heavily in noncash, risky financial assets such as corporate debt, equity, and mortgage-backed securities. Risky assets represent 40% of firms’ financial portfolios, or 6% of total book assets. We present a formal model to assess the optimality of this behavior. Consistent with the model, risky assets are concentrated in financially unconstrained firms holding large financial portfolios, are held by poorly governed firms, and are discounted by 13% to 22% compared to safe assets. We conclude that this activity represents an unregulated asset management industry of more than $1.5 trillion, questioning the traditional boundaries of nonfinancial firms.

CSR Performance and the Value of Cash Holdings: International Evidence

Abstract: Using a worldwide sample, we examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance has an impact on the value of cash holdings. We find that investors assign a higher value to cash held by firms that have a high CSR rating. This result is consistent with the idea that CSR policies are a means for managers to act in the shareholders’ interests by mitigating conflicts with stakeholders. Finally, we reveal that CSR performance has a positive impact on the value of cash holdings only for firms which operate in countries where shareholders are well protected from expropriation by managers and in countries where the institutional quality is high.

When is cash good or bad for firm performance

Abstract: Research summary: Cash can create shareholder value when used for adaptation to unfolding contingencies, but can also reduce value when appropriated by other stakeholders. We synthesize arguments from the behavioral theory of the firm, economic perspectives like agency theory, and the value-creation versus value-appropriation literatures to argue that the implications of cash for firm performance are context-specific. Cash is more beneficial for firms operating in highly competitive, research-intensive, or growth-focused industries that are typical of contexts requiring adaptation in the face of uncertainties. Conversely, cash is more detrimental to performance in firms that are poorly governed, diversified, or opaque, as are typical of contexts where stakeholder conflicts, information asymmetries, or power imbalances can encourage value appropriation by other stakeholders. Managerial summary: Cash can create shareholder value when used for adaptation to unfolding contingencies, but can also reduce value when appropriated by other stakeholders. While cash-rich firms have higher performance on average, with those in the 75th percentile having a market-to-book value 15 percent higher than those in the 25th percentile, we find that the performance benefits of cash depend on the context. Cash is more beneficial for firms operating in highly competitive, research-intensive, or growth-focused industries that are typical of contexts requiring adaptation in the face of uncertainties. Conversely, cash is more detrimental to performance in firms that are poorly governed, diversified, or opaque, as are typical of contexts where stakeholder conflicts, information asymmetries, or power imbalances can encourage value appropriation by other stakeholders. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

State Ownership and Corporate Cash Holdings

Abstract: Using a unique sample of newly privatized firms from 59 countries, this study provides new evidence about the agency costs of state ownership and new insight into the corporate governance role of country-level institutions. Consistent with agency theory, we find strong and robust evidence that state ownership is positively related to corporate cash holdings. Moreover, we find that the strength of country-level institutions affects the relation between state ownership and the value of cash holdings. In particular, as state ownership increases, markets discount the value of cash holdings more in countries with weaker institutions.

Accounting information quality and decision-usefulness of governmental financial reporting: Moving from cash to modified cash

Abstract: Purpose This paper aims to provide an assessment of the decision-usefulness and quality of governmental financial reports in Greece under the recently adopted modified-cash basis. The evaluation is performed within the wider debate regarding the actual benefits of a transition toward an accounting paradigm that lies closer to accrual accounting as the Greek modified-cash basis borrows several accrual characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The transition to modified accruals is analyzed through the prism of the new institutional theory. The approach adopted builds on the characteristics of the accounting information pertaining to the conceptual frameworks of public and private sector accounting standard setting bodies. The assessment is conducted on the basis of the perceptions of public sector financial information users on a Web-based questionnaire. Findings The findings provide empirical evidence, albeit of moderate magnitude, in favor of the benefits associated with a move to full accruals. Originality/value The study moves the debate on the merits of accounting systems’ changes toward the worldwide witnessed trajectory a step forward by providing practical evidence on the matter.

Flexibility in cash-flow classification under IFRS: determinants and consequences

Abstract: International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) allow managers flexibility in classifying interest paid, interest received, and dividends received within operating, investing, or financing activities within the statement of cash flows. In contrast, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires these items to be classified as operating cash flows (OCF). Studying IFRS-reporting firms in 13 European countries, we document firms’ cash-flow classification choices vary, with about 76, 60, and 57% of our sample classifying interest paid, interest received, and dividends received, respectively, in OCF. Reported OCF under IFRS tends to exceed what would be reported under U.S. GAAP. We find the main determinants of OCF-enhancing classification choices are capital market incentives and other firm characteristics, including greater likelihood of financial distress, higher leverage, and accessing equity markets more frequently. In analyzing the consequences of reporting flexibility, we find some evidence that the market’s assessment of the persistence of operating cash flows and accruals varies with the firm’s classification choices and the results of certain OCF prediction models are sensitive to classification choices.

The joint determinants of cash holdings and debt maturity: the case for financial constraints

Abstract: We examine the joint choices of cash holdings and debt maturity for a large sample of firms for the 1985–2013 period. We find that there is a positive relation between debt maturity and cash holdings. Our results hold after taking into account endogeneity among leverage, debt maturity, and cash holding. We posit that this positive relationship will be found among firms facing financial constraints and we find support for this hypothesis. Our results are robust after we control for agency problems, international taxation, bank loan liquidity covenants and default risk.

Persistent Operating Losses and Corporate Financial Policies

Abstract: Among U.S. firms, operating losses have become substantially more prevalent, persistent, and greater in magnitude since 1970. Loss firms now comprise over 30% of the Compustat universe and such losses continue for a median of four years. We find that firms with negative operating cash flows account for more than half of the rise in average cash balances over the sample period, with average cash holdings increasing by 615% for negative cash flow firms vs. 95% for positive cash flow firms. Further, firms exhibiting operating losses now comprise the majority of equity issuers. These issuers stockpile most of the funds raised in the issue and use these funds to cover subsequent operating losses. We conclude that the immediate and expected ongoing liquidity needs of firms with persistent operating losses have substantially altered corporate financial policies.

Asset Tangibility, Cash Holdings, and Financial Development

Abstract: Rising intangible assets in corporate balance sheets around the world could limit borrowing capacity and hinder growth if firms must preserve cash and forgo investment opportunities. We show that financial development lowers the sensitivity of cash holdings to tangible assets and promotes firm growth. The attenuating effect of financial development on cash-tangibility sensitivity is stronger for younger, smaller, and R&D intensive firms. We also find that sectors with a smaller proportion of tangible assets grow faster in countries with more developed financial markets. Our analysis reveals an important collateral channel through which financial development facilitates firm growth.

Corporate Cash Hoarding: The Role of Just-in-Time Adoption

Abstract: I explore the role of the just-in-time (JIT) inventory system in the increase in cash holdings by U.S. manufacturing firms. I develop a model to illustrate the mechanism through which JIT affects cash and quantify its impact. In the model, both cash and inventory can serve as working capital. As firms switch from the traditional system to JIT, they shift resources from inventory to cash to facilitate transactions with suppliers. On average, this switchover accounts for a 4.1-percentage-point increase in the cash-to-assets ratio, which is approximately 28% of the change observed in the data. Data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2775. This paper was accepted by Neng Wang, finance.

Liquid Milk: Cash Constraints and Day-to-Day Intertemporal Choice in Financial Diaries

Abstract: This paper analyzes implications of cash constraints for collective marketing, using the case of the Kenyan dairy sector. Collective marketing, for instance through cooperatives, can improve smallholder farmer income but relies on informal, nonenforceable agreements to sell outputs collectively. Side selling of output in the local market occurs frequently and is typically attributed to price differences between the market and cooperative. This paper provides an alternative explanation, namely that farmers sell in the local market when they are cash constrained because cooperatives defer payments while buyers in local markets pay cash immediately. Building on semiparametric estimation techniques for panel data, we find robust evidence of this theory. High-frequency, high-detail panel data show that farmers sell more in the local market, in particular to buyers who pay cash immediately, in weeks when they have low cash on hand. Moreover, households cope with health shocks by selling more milk in the local market and less to the cooperative, but only in weeks when they are not covered by health insurance. Increased flexibility in payment and the provision of insurance through agricultural cooperatives can potentially reduce side selling and improve the performance of collective marketing arrangements.

Tournament-Based Incentives, Corporate Cash Holdings, and the Value of Cash

Abstract: This research examines the relations between tournament-based incentives and corporate cash holdings and the value of cash We find robust evidence that tournament-based incentives are positively related to cash holdings and the value of cash Moreover, the effect of tournament-based incentives on the value of cash is stronger for financially constrained firms Our evidence indicates that as tournament-based incentives motivate riskier corporate policy choices that lead to not only larger expected shareholder value but also greater cash-flow uncertainty, firms increase cash holdings to cushion potential liquidity shortfalls that may cause underinvestment

Determinants of Corporate Cash Holdings

Abstract: This article aims at examining the financial determinants of corporate cash holdings. The study employs panel data regression method. It uses the fixed-effects method based on Hausman test results ...

Are Cash Flows Better Stock Return Predictors Than Profits

Abstract: Although various income statement–based measures predict the cross section of stock returns, direct method cash flow measures have even stronger predictive power. We transform indirect method cash flow statements into disaggregated and more direct estimates of cash flows from operations and other sources and form portfolios on the basis of these measures. Stocks in the highest-cash-flow decile outperform those in the lowest by over 10% annually (risk adjusted). Our results are robust to investment horizons and across risk factors and sector controls. We also show that, in addition to operating cash flow information, cash taxes and capital expenditures provide incremental predictive power.

Cash versus Debit Card: The Role of Budget Control

Abstract: Due to the financial crisis, an increasing number of households face financial problems This may lead to an increasing need for monitoring spending and budgets We demonstrate that both cash and the debit card are perceived as helpful in this respect We show that, on average, consumers responsible for financial decision making within a household find cash and the debit card equally helpful for monitoring their household finances Individuals differ in major respects, however In particular, low earners and the liquidity-constrained prefer cash as a budgeting tool Finally, we present evidence that at an aggregated level, such preferences strongly affect consumer payment behavior These findings suggest that the substitution of cash by cards may slow down because of the financial crisis

Are Cash Flows Better Stock Return Predictors than Profits

Abstract: Although various income statement–based measures predict the cross section of stock returns, direct method cash flow measures have even stronger predictive power. We transform indirect method cash flow statements into disaggregated and more direct estimates of cash flows from operations and other sources and form portfolios on the basis of these measures. Stocks in the highest-cash-flow decile outperform those in the lowest by over 10% annually (risk adjusted). Our results are robust to investment horizons and across risk factors and sector controls. We also show that, in addition to operating cash flow information, cash taxes and capital expenditures provide incremental predictive power.

Financial conditions and corporate investment: evidence from Vietnam

Abstract: Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of macro-financial conditions on firm-level capital allocation as a micro-transmission mechanism of monetary policy in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach The authors employ a dynamic model of investment based on the Euler equation approach that allows for financial frictions. The financial conditions are proxied by a composite index of the current states of financial variables, including interest rates, exchange rates, stock prices, and credit demand – which captures short-term shocks in monetary transmission channels. Corporate financing constraints, as a reflection of financial frictions, are measured by the sensitivity of investment to internal funds, which are extensively examined in terms of both negative and positive cash flows. Findings In the presence of a non-monotonic (or U-shaped) investment–cash flow relation, the empirical evidence from Vietnamese listed firms indicates that financial conditions affect investment behavior for only firms with negative cash flows, in the sense that better financial conditions alleviate the level of “negative” financing constraints (i.e. the sensitivity of investment to negative cash flow). This effect is greater for larger firms and more likely pronounced for firms without state ownership. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on corporate financing constraints in a manner of considering the macroeconomic dimension, specifically exploring the asymmetric impacts of financial conditions on the investment sensitivity to cash flow.