We investigate the effect of stock option backdating on the information risk of accused companies. This research provides evidence concerning the consequences that a change in this risk may have on equity values after discovery that companies participated in this questionable behavior. We...

Our study assesses whether SFAS No. 131 improved disclosure about the diversity of multiple segment firms' operations. We find a post-SFAS No. 131 increase in cross-segment variability of segment profits, an increase in the association between reported and inherent cross-segment variability, and...

This study investigates the effect of firms' adoption of SFAS No. 131 segment disclosure rules on the stock market's ability to predict the firms' earnings, as captured by the forward earnings response coefficient (FERC). The FERC is the association between current-year returns and next-year...

How our current system of high and complicated taxes are damaging economic growthThe features that should be found in a well-designed tax system and have been known since Adam Smith's maxims appeared in Volume 2 of The Wealth of Nations in 1776. A well-designed tax system should have the...

In the 24th IEA Discussion Paper, David B. Smith takes an historical perspective on the 2009 Budget forecasts. His analysis concludes that the budget deficit will reach levels that are unprecedented in peacetime.The government's preferred market-price GDP measure overstates national output...

In the 24th IEA Discussion Paper, David B. Smith takes an historical perspective on the 2009 Budget forecasts. His analysis concludes that the budget deficit will reach levels that are unprecedented in peacetime.The government’s preferred market-price GDP measure overstates national output...