The Effects of Cost of Capital on the Relationship Between Earnings and Stock Returns

Because the accounting profit computation does not consider the cost of capital, it has always been criticized. One of the proxies of accounting earnings that recently were taken into consideration by accounting researchers is residual income. In this study, the relationship between accounting earnings and stock returns and the effect of changes in the accounting earnings on this relationship has been studied. Then using the concept of residual income, the impact of changes in earnings components on this relationship has been investigated. To test the hypothesis, a sample of 67 Tehran Stock Exchange listed companies during the years 2004 to 2010 were selected. To analyze the data and hypothesis testing, a multiple regression model based on combined data was used. The results indicate that there is a direct significant relationship between accounting earnings and current stock returns and the independent variable, earnings changes, affect this relationship. Also, if using residual income, the earnings could be decomposable to components, these components will strengthen the relationship between accounting earnings and current stock returns. Also the results revealed no relationship between accounting earnings and future stock returns.