Earnings Forecasts and Price Efficiency after Earnings Realizations: Reduction in Information Asymmetry through Learning from Price*

Abstract

When information asymmetry is a major market friction, earnings forecasts can lead to higher price efficiency evenafterthe information in forecasts completely dissipates upon earnings realizations. We show this in an experimental market that features information asymmetry (i.e., some traders possess differential private information). Earnings forecasts reduce information asymmetry and lead to prices that reflect a greater amount of private information. Traders can learn more about others' information from prices. This information learned from past prices continues to reduce information asymmetry and improve price efficiency evenafterearnings realizations. We contribute to the disclosure literature by showing the evidence that the learning-from-price effect amplifies the impact of public disclosure on price efficiency.