Value Relevance of Mandated Comprehensive Income Disclosures

Abstract

This study provides some market based evidence on the usefulness of comprehensive income disclosures in a Statement of Changes in Equity (SCE). Using a sample of listed New Zealand firms, we find no evidence that separate disclosure of the comprehensive income items provides any value relevant information above and beyond the aggregate comprehensive income figure. Likewise, in the post‐SCE period, we find no evidence of an increase in the incremental value relevance of the comprehensive income items over net income. While our results are sensitive to outliers, they suggest that standards requiring disclosure of a SCE may not be necessary.