We examine the relation between industry specialist auditors and cost of debt financing using a national and city level industry specialist framework. Consistent with the assumption that higher audit quality is associated with lower information risk, which benefits clients in raising debt...

We test whether Standard and Poor's (S&P) assigns higher bond ratings after it switches from investor-pay to issuer-pay fees in 1974. Using Moody's rating for the same bond as a benchmark, we find that when S&P charges investors and Moody's charges issuers, S&P's ratings are lower than Moody's....

We test whether Standard and Poor's (S&P) assigns higher bond ratings after it switches from investor-pay to issuer-pay fees in 1974. Using Moody's rating for the same bond as a benchmark, we find that when S&P charges investors and Moody's charges issuers, S&P's ratings are lower than Moody's....

This study examines whether and how a major credit rating agency, S&P, strategically times the release of rating changes in an intraday setting. We find that the proportion of downgrades announced after regular trading hours is higher than upgrades. We find that credit rating agencies are more...

This study examines whether crackdown on political corruption in China affects future stock price crashes. Using data from corruption-related prosecutions, we find that firms under prosecuted official jurisdictions experience a significant decrease in crash risk after the crackdown....

This study examines a specific source of lenders' ex ante information advantage, private information about borrowers' forthcoming patents. We examine this setting to provide evidence of the impact of such private information on borrowers' cost of debt. We find evidence consistent with lenders...

Despite the perceived importance of accounting standard setters, it remains unknown whether and how much individual FASB board members can influence specific accounting policies because it is difficult to measure any board member's impact during the process of accounting standard setting absent...

This study examines a specific source of borrowers' proprietary information and lenders' ex ante information advantage, i.e., private information about the borrowers' forthcoming patents. We examine this unique setting, where borrowers have credible information regarding a positive future event...

Despite the perceived importance of accounting standard setters, it remains unknown whether and how much individual FASB board members can influence specific accounting policies because it is difficult to measure any board member's impact during the process of accounting standard setting absent...

We examine which of two opposing financial reporting incentives that group-affiliated firms experience shapes their accounting transparency evident in auditor choice. In one direction, complex group structure and intra-group transactions enable controlling shareholders to pursue diversionary...