We document that investors can actually profit from the contemporaneous link between earnings accuracy and recommendation profitability (Loh and Mian (2006)). Differentiating between "able" and "lucky" analysts we suggest an implementable, i.e. look-ahead bias free, trading strategy that yields...

Analysts providing more accurate earnings forecasts also issue more profitable recommendations. We demonstrate how investors can profit from this contemporaneous link by differentiating between "able" and "lucky" analysts. In line with previous studies, we find that past track records alone are...

Because uncertainty is high in bad times, investors find it harder to assess firm prospects and, hence, should value analyst output more. However, higher uncertainty makes analysts' tasks harder so it is unclear if analyst output is more valuable in bad times. We find that, in bad times, analyst...

Analysts often update their recommendations following corporate news. Questions have been raised regarding analysts' ability to generate new information beyond recent corporate events. Employing a comprehensive database on corporate news we show that only a small minority of 27.9% of all...

This paper investigates whether private information from lending activities improves the forecast accuracy of bank-affiliated analysts. Using a matched sample design, matching by affiliated bank or borrower, we demonstrate that the forecast accuracy of bank-affiliated analysts increases after...

We present a two-stage model for the decision making process of financial analysts when issuing earnings forecasts. In the first stage, financial analysts perform a fundamental analysis in which they are prone to a behavioral bias. In the second stage analysts can distort their earnings...

We present a two-stage model for the decision making process of financial analysts when issuing earnings forecasts. In the first stage, financial analysts perform a fundamental earnings analysis in which they are, potentially, subject to a behavioral bias. In the second stage analysts can adjust...

Using a unique database over local Chinese securities firm's earnings forecasts and stock recommendations, it is shown that the average forecast error has decreased over time reflecting the maturing of the Chinese securities firms. Affiliated securities firms, defined as securities firms acting...

Classic agency theory predicts that analysts selectively provide coverage and report their expectations. This paper examines empirically if incremental investment value can be uncovered from analysts' choice between silence and speech, measured as the level of reporting not explained by size or...

Using analysts' stock recommendations this paper shows gender heterogeneity in investment advice. The odds for female financial analysts to issue optimistic recommendations are much lower than the odds for male analysts. However, an investor cannot profit from the observed gender differences....