The Value Relevance of Goodwill Impairments: UK Evidence
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Issue Date
2012
Authors
Abu-Ghazaleh, Naser
Al-Hares, Osama
Haddad, Ayman
Keywords
Type
Journal Article
Peer-Reviewed
Peer-Reviewed
Abstract
Using a sample of 528 firm-year observations, drawn from the top 500 UK listed firms for 2005 and 2006, this study
employs a multivariate ordinary least squares regression to assess the value relevance of goodwill impairment losses
following the adoption of IFRS No. 3 “Business Combinations”. Empirical results reveal a significant negative
association between reported goodwill impairment losses and market value, suggesting that these impairments are
perceived by investors to reliably measure a decline in the value of goodwill and incorporated in their firm valuation
assessments. The study provides evidence consistent with IASB’s objectives in developing the impairment-only
standard and reinforces the argument that, through IFRS 3, managers are more likely to use their accounting
discretion to convey privately held information about the underlying performance of the firms.
Keywords: Goodwill accounting, Impairment, International Financial Reporting Standards, Value relevance, EU.