We analyze three different mechanical models to forecast earnings and compare their forecasts with those of analysts. Moreover, we evaluate implied cost of capital (ICC) estimates that are based on these forecasts. With our analyses we answer three open questions in the literature. 1) Do model...

Based on Graham et al.’s (2005) survey, CFOs believe financial performance impacts the credibility of their forecasts. We examine this link by testing whether management earnings forecasts (MEFs) of firms meeting/beating analysts’ forecast benchmarks exhibit greater credibility than MEFs of...