The purpose of this study is to explain the poor informativeness of earnings in dual-class firms by examining the quality of earnings and the information environment. The earnings informativeness, earnings quality and information environment of dual-class firms are compared with a matched sample of single-class firms. The authors have performed the returns-earnings association tests, examine the quality of earnings by using proxies for discretionary accruals, and examine the information environment by employing four empirical constructs: the analyst forecast dispersion, absolute forecast errors, Amihud’s (2002) illiquidity measure, and the bid-ask spread. The results show that the quality of earnings is better while the quality of the information environment is worse in dual-class firms compared to single-class firms. Overall, the results suggest that an inferior information environment is a plausible explanation for the low informativeness of dual-class firms’ earnings. The results provide empirical support for Dechow et al. (2010) that the use of the earnings-returns association measure to draw conclusions about the quality of earnings is not appropriate in the presence of a poor information environment. This is the first study to empirically show that low earnings informativeness in dual-class firms can be explained by the inferior quality of the information environment.

This study aims to address a gap in the existing literature pertaining to the liquidity of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Specifically, we examine the effect of reverse share splits on ETF liquidity. In contrast to equities, the utilization of ETFs enables the separation of signaling and liquidity considerations. Findings suggest that liquidity improves after reverse splits in both univariate and multivariate results. In the absence of delisting concerns, results support the liquidity hypothesis of stock splits.

Prior studies that examine the relation between market depth and bid–ask spread are often limited to the first level of the limit order book. However, the full limit order book provides important information beyond the first level about the depth and spread, which affects the trading decisions of market participants. This paper examines the intraday behavior of depth and spread in the five-deep limit order book and the relation between depth and spread in a futures market setting. A dummy-variables regression framework is employed and is estimated using the generalized method of moments (GMM). Results indicate an inverse U-shaped pattern for depth and an increasing pattern for spread. After controlling for known explanatory factors, an inverse relation between the limit order book depth and spread is documented. The inverse relation holds for depth and spread at individual levels in the limit order book as well. Results indicate that market participants actively manage both the price (spread) and quantity (depth) dimensions of liquidity along the five-deep limit order book.

Prior theory suggests a positive relation between volatility and market depth, while past empirical research finds contrasting results. This paper examines the relation between the volatility and the limit order book depth in commodity and foreign exchange futures markets during a turbulent time using the generalized method of moments (GMM). Results indicate a negative relation between volatility and depth and suggest that the depth in the limit order book decreases as volatility increases. Findings help to understand how market participants provide liquidity in response to shifts in prices.