Does options trading deter real activities manipulation?

Delshadi, M., Hosseinniakani, M. and Rezaee, Z. (2023) Does options trading deter real activities manipulation? Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 61(2), pp. 673-699. (doi: 10.1007/s11156-023-01162-3)

Abstract

We examine whether and how options trading activity curtails real activities manipulation. Using a large sample of U.S. firms suspected of earnings manipulation, we document that an active options trading market significantly reduces real activities manipulation. We confirm our findings by using 2SLS analyses and alternative research designs. Our findings are also robust to using alternative proxies for options trading activity. Further, we find that the deterring impact of options trading on real activities manipulation is more pronounced among firms with low institutional ownership, among firms in highly competitive industries, and among small and young firms. Overall, our findings show that an active options market discourages managers from engaging in real activities manipulation, as informed options trading helps stock prices better reflect adverse consequences of real activities manipulation. Our findings highlight the benefits of options market development in reducing value-destroying activities and thus provide policy, practice, and research implications.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Delshadi, Dr Mahmoud
• Authors: Delshadi, M., Hosseinniakani, M., and Rezaee, Z.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Accounting and Finance
• Journal Name: Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0924-865X
• ISSN (Online): 1573-7179
• Published Online: 21 May 2023
• Copyright Holders: This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply
• First Published: First published in Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting 61(2): 673-799
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy