This paper investigates the relationship between commercial banks accrual choices and the likelihood of their takeover. I study a sample of 2,414 commercial bank holding companies (banks) over the period of 1987 through 1998. The sample consists of 14,574 bank-years. I perform two complimentary...

Firms enjoy wide discretion in their disclosure of patent-related events, which investors generally view as "good news" announcements. This study examines patent disclosure behavior before earnings announcements in light of managers incentives to avoid the stock price-related consequences of...

This study assesses the unintended effects of recent accounting regulation (SFAS 144) on a specificform of real activities earnings management, namely the timing of asset sales to smooth income. Thispaper finds that, by changing the qualifying criteria for discontinued operations, SFAS 144...