Value relevance of accounting data and financial crisis in Europe: an empirical analysis

Abstract

This paper aims at verifying the relationship between book value and  market value for a four years period (2006-2009) in Europe, under IFRS. In particular, I used value relevance approach to measure whether net income or comprehensive income are more useful to understand the relationship between market data and financial data. Moreover, the paper analyzes the impact of financial crisis on the value relevance of accounting data. The examination period runs from a pre-crisis period (2006-2007) to an in-crisis period (2008-2009). Results shows that comprehensive income is more value relevant than net income. Furthermore, the financial crisis has a positive impact on value relevance.