The small earnings change sample consists of firms from 1999 through 2003 with an annual EPS
change between $0.05 and $0.05.10 Table 1, Panel A summarizes the sample formulation process for
the small earnings change sample. I initially identify 5410 firm-year observations with earnings near
the prior year level, and obtain a sample of 1370 observations after I exclude firms in regulated industries,
lacking the required data, employing multiple CEOs throughout the year,11 whose audit committees
did not meet, receiving a qualified audit opinion, having only one audit committee member, or having
multiple classes of common shares