Using a large sample of cross-border mergers we measure the effect of a change in location on systematic risk. We document a large, widespread, and robust effect. When a target firm's location moves as a result of an international merger, a large part of its systematic risk switches from being...

The Pettengill et al (1995) test of the conditional relationship between beta and returns has recently become widely used. This paper shows that there is a large bias in that test. The test is almost guaranteed to be satisfied, regardless of the model that generates expected returns. In...

This paper derives tax-adjusted discount rate formulas with a constant proportion leverage policy, investor taxes, and risky debt. The result depends on an assumption about the treatment of tax losses in default. We identify the assumption that justifies the textbook approach of discounting...

Banks that follow conditional conservatism in their loan loss accounting treatments benefit from a reduction in crash risk. The key discretionary loan loss accounting channels are provisions and allowances. We show that conditional conservatism reduces crash risk of small banks during periods of...

The flows-to-equity method is often used to value highly leveraged projects, or transactions, where debt typically amortises over time according to a fixed schedule. This requires a formula that links the changing leverage over time with a time-varying equity discount rate. We show that the...

We investigate the reasons for there being an apparent limit to the accuracy of valuation using multiples, when it is implemented in a standard way. We find that most of the error comes from failing to correct known biases in earnings forecasts. Another part comes from mismatching observable...

We test the effect of sentiment on returns using a sample of upstream oil stocks where we have a good proxy for fundamental value. For this sample, the influence of sentiment is highly time-varying, appearing only after the post-2000 increased interest in oil-related assets. Contrary to the...

This note discusses the choices involved in estimating sustainable normalized operating free cash flow, which is the single most important driver of enterprise value. Being able to make a well-justified estimate of sustainable free cash flow is a basic skill in enterprise valuation. Heinz in...

We investigate the relative ability of two measures of the market implied cost of capital to predict aggregate equity market returns. One is Aggregate ICC, which is a weighted average of individual firms' ICC's. The other is ICC calculated using index information (Index ICC). Index ICC predicts...

In corporate valuation the horizon value of a firm is often set using the constant growth formula. This note explains how to make assumptions that are consistent with meaningful use of that formula for that purpose. First, it reviews some standard sanity checks. Then it discusses an aspect that...