This book provides a critical analysis of the evolution of corporate disclosure. Building upon prior academic literature, it assesses the most important changes in mandatory corporate disclosure, the growing relevance of social and environmental disclosure, and revolutionary new forms of corporate communication, in particular social media. It also includes empirical analyses that shed further light on the impact of voluntary communication, i.e. social and environmental reporting and corporate social media communication, on managerial and investment decisions. Lastly, it discusses new directions for accounting and corporate governance research on the theoretical and empirical challenges of corporate disclosure. Offering a wealth of relevant and timely advice, the book will help regulators design policies that allow businesses to overcome current and emerging economic, social, and technological challenges.

This book provides a critical analysis of the evolution of corporate disclosure. Building upon prior academic literature, it assesses the most important changes in mandatory corporate disclosure, the growing relevance of social and environmental disclosure, and revolutionary new forms of corporate communication, in particular social media. It also includes empirical analyses that shed further light on the impact of voluntary communication, i.e. social and environmental reporting and corporate social media communication, on managerial and investment decisions. Lastly, it discusses new directions for accounting and corporate governance research on the theoretical and empirical challenges of corporate disclosure. Offering a wealth of relevant and timely advice, the book will help regulators design policies that allow businesses to overcome current and emerging economic, social, and technological challenges.

This paper examines the relation between the disclosure practices of firms, the number of analysts following each firm, and properties of the analysts' earnings forecasts. Using data from the Financial Analysts Federation Corporate Information Committee Report (FAF Report), we provide evidence that firms with more informative disclosure policies have a larger analyst following, more accurate analyst earnings forecasts, less dispersion among individual analyst forecasts and less volatility in forecast revisions. The results enhance our understanding of the role of analysts in capital markets. Further, they suggest that potential benefits to disclosure include increased investor following, reduced estimation risk and reduced information asymmetry, each of which have been shown to reduce a firm's cost of capital in theoretical research.

This is a complete & up-to-date handbook on the issue of corporate disclosure, covering the impact of the federal securities laws on both informal communications & the process of communicating with shareholders. It includes a new discussion of the "Bespeaks Caution" doctrine, updated coverage of the materiality of government investigations & undisclosed illegal behavior, & cutting-edge analysis of the latest trends, such as electronic communications, SEC reforms, & MD & A requirements. Critical areas analyzed include: Disclosure requirements & anti-fraud provisions The duty to disclose Dissemination Issues involving materiality Disclosure of bad news Negotiations Dealing with analysts Projects & appraisals Stock repurchases Sensitive disclosure periods State disclosure obligations Corporate communication policies Shareholder communications The summary annual report Communicating with beneficial owner Dealing with analysts Communication & dissemination of information over the Internet And more.

The Regulation of Corporate Disclosure, Third Edition is a complete and up-to-date handbook on the issue of corporate disclosure, covering the impact of the federal securities laws on both informal communications and the process of communicating with shareholders. The Third Edition expands topics previously covered, addressing the legal issues and practical concerns surrounding implementation of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. The book also has an in-depth treatment of managementand’s discussion and analysis (MDand&A), something that, although appearing in required SEC filings, involves many of the same difficult and complex issues raised by the informal disclosure process. Also addressed are: SEC reforms of the periodic reporting process; issues pertaining to stock research analysts and conflicts of interest; and various relevant corporate governance requirements and their disclosure implications. Critical areas analyzed include ;Disclosure requirements and anti-fraud provisions The duty to disclose Dissemination Issues involving materiality Disclosure of bad news Negotiations Dealing with analysts And much more!