Equity analyst recommendations: A case for affirmative disclosure?

Abstract

The financial well-being of retail investors is impacted by the quality of their investment decisions. Inaccurate or misleading financial information that is misconstrued by investors to be reliable can compromise decision making. This research reports on the results of three studies that show despite the fact that equities with "buy" ratings significantly underperform equities with "hold" ratings, retail investors rely on them when making investment decisions. It also shows analysts' guidance remains inaccurate in the aggregate despite the passage of Sarbanes-Oxley and related legislation/regulation. This article begins a conversation on the implications of this dilemma, specifically the value of affirmative disclosure as a remedy. © 2014 by The American Council on Consumer Interests.