HKS Authors

See citation below for complete author information.

Abstract

Stock prices react significantly to the tone (negativity of words) managers use on earnings conference calls. This reaction reflects reasonably rational use of information. “Tone surprise” -- the residual when negativity in managerial tone is regressed on the firm’s recent economic performance and CEO fixed effects -- predicts future earnings and analyst uncertainty. Prices move more, as hypothesized, in firms where tone surprise predicts more strongly. Experienced analysts respond appropriately in revising their forecasts; inexperienced analysts overreact (underreact) to tone surprises in presentations (answers). Post-call price drift, like post-earnings announcement drift, suggests less-than-full-use of information embedded in managerial tone. Please note this paper has been updated and replaced by RWP16-004.

Citation

Druz, Marina, Alexander F. Wagner, and Richard Zeckhauser. "Tips and Tells from Managers: How Analysts and the Market Read Between the Lines of Conference Calls." HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP15-006, February 2015.