영업권 손상인식과 주가의 미래이익정보성

In this study, we investigate whether discretionary recognition of goodwill impairment affects the stock price informativeness of future earnings. Using firm-year observations with a positive beginning goodwill balance from 2011 to 2016, we test whether the decision to recognize impairment loss inconsistent with impairment indication (accelerated impairment) improves the future earnings response coefficient (FERC). We find that the accelerated impairers exhibit greater FERCs, lower value relevance of pre-impairment goodwill, and higher persistence of reported EPS. We suggest that early recognition of impairment from potentially overstated goodwill assists investors in better predicting future earnings by mitigating the measurement error inherent in goodwill book value and smoothing the earnings time series. Our findings fill the literature gap by shedding light on the positive role of accounting discretion exercised under the context of low level fair value applied to goodwill impairment test.