Value Relevance of Goodwill Amortization and Financial Leverage

In recent years, intangible assets have received an increasing importance and considered as a valuable factor from the scientific communities and high-level executives. One of these assets is goodwill that its amortization in Iran is different from what included in international standards. The difference in amortization of these valuable assets which may also have value relevance, seems to be an important issue. Accordingly, this study examines the value relevance of goodwill amortization and effects of financial leverage on it, considering both international and Iranian standards. The research population included 70 firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during the period from 2008 to 2017. To test hypotheses, the multivariate linear regression using the pooled and panel data is applied. Results show that there is a significant negative relation between goodwill amortization according to Iranian standards as well as international standards and market capitalization. Moreover, findings indicate that goodwill amortization based on international standards has more power to explain stock market capitalization than goodwill amortization based on Iranian standards. Also, results show that financial leverage has a significant effect on the relation between goodwill amortization and stock market capitalization, according to both international and Iranian standards.