This study examines the relationship between earnings quality and insider trading. Using downward earnings restatement firms to identify low-quality earnings, we find that insiders outsell non-earnings restatement fir...This study examines the relationship between earnings quality and insider trading. Using downward earnings restatement firms to identify low-quality earnings, we find that insiders outsell non-earnings restatement firms of their holdings over the period from two years before to one year after the beginning of the restatement period. In addition, the amounts of restatement are positively associated with the excess insider selling. We also provide evidence that excess insider selling predicts excessive earnings manipulations that eventually lead to GAAP （Generally Accepted Accounting Principles） violation. Some researchers argued that insider trading can be an efficient way of transferring insider information to the capital markets. Our evidence of intensive insider selling in the context of earnings restatements implies that insiders disregard their fiduciary duties to the shareholders during the periods of deteriorating financial performance.展开更多
文摘This study examines the relationship between earnings quality and insider trading. Using downward earnings restatement firms to identify low-quality earnings, we find that insiders outsell non-earnings restatement firms of their holdings over the period from two years before to one year after the beginning of the restatement period. In addition, the amounts of restatement are positively associated with the excess insider selling. We also provide evidence that excess insider selling predicts excessive earnings manipulations that eventually lead to GAAP （Generally Accepted Accounting Principles） violation. Some researchers argued that insider trading can be an efficient way of transferring insider information to the capital markets. Our evidence of intensive insider selling in the context of earnings restatements implies that insiders disregard their fiduciary duties to the shareholders during the periods of deteriorating financial performance.
