We propose a novel method to forecast corporate earnings, which combines the accuracy of analysts’ forecasts with the unbiasedness of a cross-sectional model. We build on recent insights from the earnings forecasts literature to improve analysts’ forecasts in two ways: reducing their...

We find that analysts who issue more accurate earnings forecasts also issue more profitable stock recommendations. The average factor-adjusted return associated with the recommendations of analysts in the highest accuracy quintile exceeds the corresponding return for analysts in the lowest...

We show that abnormal returns to analysts' recommendations stem from both the ratings levels assigned as well as the changes in those ratings. Conditional on the ratings change, buy and strong buy recommendations have greater returns than do holds, sells, and strong sells. Conditional on the...

Using unique data on brokerage-firm trading volume, I examine whether analysts' earnings forecasts and recommendations generate trading volume for their brokerage firms. I find that analysts' forecasts differing from the consensus forecast generate signif icant brokerage-firm volume in the...

This paper compares Value Line and I/B/E/S analyst earnings forecasts in terms of accuracy, rationality, and as proxies for market expectations. Using more recent data and forming consensus forecasts from the I/B/E/S detail files, we reach different conclusions than Philbrick and Ricks [1991],...

This study compares the earnings forecasts of analysts employed by independent research firms to those of analysts employed by investment banks along the dimensions of accuracy and optimism. We discuss the conflicts of interest faced by both groups and suggest that, despite incentives stemming...

I examine the role of analysts in providing heterogeneous interpretations of public disclosures, specifically earnings announcements. Consistent with the predictions of Indjejikian's (1991) model, I document that there are relatively more heterogeneous interpretations in the forecast revisions...

We document several factors that help explain cross-sectional variations in the delayed price response to individual analyst forecast revisions. First, the market does not make a sufficient distinction between those analysts providing new information and others simply quot;herdingquot; toward...

We examine the effect of signal attributes and analyst identity on the price impact of an earnings forecast revision. We measure the price impact immediately upon the release of a forecast, as well as over the next twenty-four months. We find that an analyst's own prior forecast and the...

We investigate the relation between analyst stock recommendations and eight concurrently available variables that have predictive power for stock returns. We find that analysts generally pay little attention to the large sample predictive attributes of these variables. In seven out of eight...