R&D reporting methods and firm value: evidence from China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how different research and development (R&D) accounting choice (capitalization and expensing) affects the value of the listed companies under the new Chinese Accounting Standards (CAS) background. According to new CAS, R&D expenditure can either be expensed as incurred as a whole or partly capitalized and partly expensed from 2007. Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of an empirical study using a hand-collected sample of 3,664 observations from Chinese listed companies over 2007–2012 timeframe. Findings – It is found that different methods of reporting R&D investments do affect the value of listed firms in China. Specifically, the firms that chose to capitalize their R&D investments have higher stock price and return. On the contrary, the companies that select to expense their R&D expenditures have lower stock price and return. It is also found that capitalized R&D investments are positively connected to stock price, while expensed R&D expenditures are negatively related to stock prices. Research limitations/implications – This paper researches and finds the value relevance of R&D capitalization and expensing from the accounting report method itself. This explores some interesting research questions. Does choice of accounting method for R&D expenditure affect firm valuation? Do different methods of reporting R&D investments transfer different signal to investors? Does expensed R&D carry a negative signal to investors? So it can expand the existing R&D area of research. Practical implications – This paper can provide empirical evidence and decision support for corporate managers, R&D policy makers and investors in a non-mandatory disclosure market of R&D expenditure. Because different R&D accounting choice has different market reactions, managers can choose a favorable method of reporting R&D investments to raise their firm’s stock price. Policy makers should standardize accounting treatment of R&D expenditure, strengthen the disclosure of R&D information and develop a detailed, workable R&D capitalization accounting policies and procedures. Investors can make the right judgment and decision on business innovation capability and future development only by getting more R&D investment information. Originality/value – Different from present studies focusing on the value relevance of R&D investment, this paper explores an interesting topic showing how different methods of reporting R&D investment in China affect the value of the firms.