Testing the Relevance-Value of Accounting Earnings and Book Share-Value on Damascus Stock Exchange


Abstract in English

This study examines the relevance-value of accounting information represented by earnings and book values for firms listed on Damascus Stock Exchange. This study is based on the Return Model developed by Easton & Harris (1991), and on the Price Model developed by Ohlson (1995).The researcher uses the annual data of the financial statements from 2009 to 2012. The results of this study show that accounting earnings are value-relevant to explaining the changes in stock returns, and that the change-variable in earnings correlates positively and significantly with cumulative return, but earnings level variable does not related significantly to cumulative returns. Based on the price model, the earnings of each share and its book-value relate positively and significantly to share-price. Therefore, income statements and balance sheets reflect value-relevant information for investors at Damascus Stock Exchange. This information is represented by accounting earnings and book values, but the variable of earnings level does not explain the changes in cumulative returns.

References used

ALFARAIH, M. & ALANEZI, F. The Usefulness of Earnings and Book Value for Equity Valuation to Kuwait Stock Exchange Participants. International Business & Economics Research Journal. Vol. 10, No, 1, 2011, 73-89
ALALI, A, F. & FOOTE, S, P. The Value Relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards: Empirical Evidence in an Emerging Market. The International Journal of Accounting. Vol. 47, No. 1, 2012, 85-108
ANANDARAJAN, A. & HASAN, I. Value Relevance of Earnings: Evidence from Middle Eastern and North African Countries. Advances in Accounting, incorporating Advances in International Accounting. Vol. 26, No. 2 , 2010, 270- 279

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