Abstract
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This dissertation offers an empirical analysis of accounting decisions on purchased goodwill by UK listed companies in recent years. It focuses particularly on the value to the stock market of acquiring firms' disclosures on the purchase, amortisation and impairment of goodwill. The thesis sets out the theoretical framework and regulatory background on purchased goodwill, providing an integrated long-term analysis of the evolution of regulatory policy in three jurisdictions, UK, International and US. It provides a systematic analysis of the scale of purchased goodwill, implied goodwill and goodwill impairment for listed UK companies in the period 1997-2002. It quantifies the (very material) impact of goodwill accounting choices on standard performance measures reported to stakeholders. Then the dissertation reports an econometric analysis for the UK of the role of goodwill in stock market valuations during the period 1997-2002. The evidence is consistent with previous studies suggesting purchased goodwill is value-relevant to the stock market; and that goodwill impairment announcements induce a negative market response. The strength of these responses is related to various firm characteristics, such as their industrial group. The dissertation also explores the relationship between goodwill impairment and changes in operating performance, and the scope for goodwill impairment being used for earnings management, particularly via 'big bath accounting'. The conclusion relates the empirical findings to the current worldwide upheaval in accounting regulations for purchased goodwill, being led by FASB and IASB. Appendices provide detailed methodological discussion and additional empirical results, to support the main chapters.