Pricing Model Management: Evidence from Employee Stock Option (Un)Fair Valuation

Francois Larmande , Loïc Belze and Lorenz Schneider
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Francois Larmande : HEC Paris, Postal: 1 Rue de la Libération, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas
Loïc Belze : EMLYON Business School, Postal: 23 Avenue Guy de Collongue, 69130 Écully
Lorenz Schneider : EMLYON Business School, Postal: 23 Avenue Guy de Collongue, 69130 Écully

No 1103, HEC Research Papers Series from HEC Paris

Abstract: This paper examines the fair value management of Employee Stock Options (ESOs). Departing from earlier literature focused on input estimates, we study management of the valuation model itself, seen in the ad-hoc adjustments made by companies to generally accepted models. Our analysis is based on a unique sample of ESOs in an IFRS context for which detailed disclosure is available. We find evidence of model management, with a median understatement of 52% compared to our benchmark model, which is designed to control for ESO-specific characteristics and input estimates. Furthermore, we identify three levers for model management: dilution, non-tradability of the option, and transaction costs. We conduct an in-depth analysis of companies’ arguments for making these ad-hoc adjustments and find no grounds for them. This paper highlights model management as a relevant issue for ESO fair value which has direct consequences for standard setters and enforcement authorities.

Keywords: Fair value; ESO; Transaction costs; IFRS 2; Dilution; Non-Tradability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G13 G30 J33 M12 M41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 56 pages
Date: 2015-09-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ebg:heccah:1103

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