The Value Relevance of Accounting Information: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

Value relevance of accounting information addresses the degree to which accounting information summarizes the information that is impounded in share prices. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to the empirical literature on value relevance by examining the extent to which accounting information is associated with firm value, from an emerging market context. The paper uses the basic Ohlson (1995) model and the modification of the model that includes cash flow from operation, and dividends, to ascertain the value relevance of accounting information in Nigeria. The paper accommodates the documented relative inefficiency of the market by using stock price at three months and six months after year end as dependent variable. The study employs a pooled and panel data in the regression of share price and returns on accounting numbers. The ordinary least square (OLS) estimation and dynamic model estimation, with the Random and Fixed effects variants were used in the regression. We find that earnings, cash flow and dividends were statistically significantly associated with firm value but book value was related but not statistically significant. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the focus of investors should be on earnings, dividends and cash flows while less emphasis be placed on book values. Besides, the accounting information for investment purposes should be communicated to the investing public; and such information should be of high quality to avoid sub-optimal investment decisions by investors, with negative consequences for the overall economy