Standard factor models imply a linear relationship between expected returns on assets and their factor exposures. We provide the asymptotic properties of factor-model-based expected return estimators for individual assets and show that exploiting this linear relationship leads to precision gains...

This paper examines the question: Does regulatory approval of prospectuses act as a “certification” of securities offerings? Rational investors should generally ignore prospectus approval due to its being uninformative regarding either the quality of, or motives for, the underlying offering....

We present a two-stage model for the decision making process of financial analysts when issuing earnings forecasts. In the first stage, financial analysts perform a fundamental analysis in which they are prone to a behavioral bias. In the second stage analysts can distort their earnings...

We present a two-stage model for the decision making process of financial analysts when issuing earnings forecasts. In the first stage, financial analysts perform a fundamental earnings analysis in which they are, potentially, subject to a behavioral bias. In the second stage analysts can adjust...