This paper examines the impact of loan loss provisions (LLPs) on return predictability during 1994-2017. We find that on average, LLPs are negatively associated with one year ahead stock returns. This effect is particularly significant during the global financial crisis but much weaker during...

Population ageing leads to labour scarcity and labour market rigidity. Contrary to supply-side economists’ belief that labour market rigidity tends to suppress firm innovation, we provide novel evidence of a positive relationship between population ageing and firm innovation in China. This...

We examine whether external finance pressure influences information disclosure of Chinese non-state-owned enterprises (NSOEs), which are often entrepreneurial firms. Existing Chinese stock exchange regulations stipulate that firms need to meet certain earnings performance criteria to qualify for...