Using hand-collected data on firms’ interim reporting frequency from 1951 to 1973, we
examine the impact of financial reporting frequency on information asymmetry and the
cost of equity. Our results show that higher reporting frequency reduces information
asymmetry and the cost of equity, and they are robust towards considerations of the
endogenous nature of firms’ reporting frequency choice. We obtain similar results when
we focus on mandatory changes in reporting frequency. Our results suggest the benefits
of increased reporting frequency.
information advantage is economically significant.