The effect of real earnings management on earnings persistence and informativeness before and during COVID-19

Abstract

This study examines the effect of real earnings management (REM) on earnings persistence and informativeness and also considered in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. REM is quantified by two aggregate metrics. The sample consists of 2256 firm-year observations of listed companies in Vietnam from 2016 to 2021. We find evidence that REM is negatively associated with the persistence of earnings and its components, with REM affecting cash flows more strongly than accruals. We also find that REM limits the relationship between current earnings and future cash flows. Furthermore, when confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect of REM on earnings quality does not improve.