Abstract: Following the spread of global value chains new statistical tools, the Inter-Country Input-Output tables, and new analytical frameworks have been recently developed to provide an adequate representation of supply and demand linkages among the economies. Koopman, Wang and Wei propose an innovative accounting methodology to decompose a country's total gross exports by source and final destination of their embedded value added. However this decomposition presents some limitations and relevant inexactnesses in some of its components. We develop their approach further by deriving a fully consistent counterpart for bilateral trade flows, also at the sectoral level, addressing the main shortcomings of previous works. We also provide correct breakdown of the foreign content in total (world) trade flows and a brand new classification of these components that take the perspective of the exporting country. Finally, drawing on our methodology we derive for the first time a precise measure of international trade generated within global production networks. Two examples of empirical applications with relevant policy implications are also provided.

Abstract: Purpose Real option valuation is capable of accounting for uncertainties in residential development projects but still lacks practical adoption due to limited evidence to support application of the theory in practice. The purpose of this paper is to use option valuation to value staging option embedded in residential projects and compare with results from DCF to determine which of the two methods delivers superior results. Design/methodology/approach The fuzzy payoff method (FPOM), a real options model that uses scenario planning approach to generate a range of figures, from which a single-numerical value is computed for decision-making. Findings The results showed that the use of a range of figures was able to represent uncertainties to a higher degree of accuracy than the static DCF. As a result, the FPOM was able to capture about 3 per cent of the value of the project that was missed by the DCF. The staging option offers an opportunity to abandon unprofitable phases of a project, thereby limiting downside losses. Thus, real option models are practically applicable to cases in property sector. Practical implications Residential property developers must consider flexibility in financial feasibility evaluation of development because of the embedded value in uncertain property projects. It is important to account for optionality in financial evaluation of property projects for value maximisation. Originality/value The FPOM has been used for the first time to evaluate a horizontal phasing of a residential development project.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to analyze both the term structure of interest and mortality rates role for evaluating a fair value of a life insurance business. In particular, a fair value accounting impact on reserve evaluations is discussed comparing a traditional deterministic model based on local rules for an Italian balance sheet calculation and a stochastic one based on a diffusion process for both mortality and financial risks. As proposed by IAS Board we will separate the embedded derivatives from their host contracts, so the fair value of a traditional life insurance contract would be expressed as the value of four components: the basic contract, the participation option, the option to annuitise and the surrender option. A numerical application to a traditional Italian life insurance policy is discussed.

Abstract: Without making any distinction of the applicable accounting standards, the aim of this paper is to present a comparative analysis of accounting value relevance of earnings and book value, of firms listed in Tunisian Stock Exchange. The findings provide that the book value is more relevant than the earnings per share, whilst the combined value relevance of book value and earning has declined when firms have negative earnings. The important contribution of this study is documenting the decreasing of value relevance of negative earnings and the increasing value relevance of book value in the variation of share prices.

Abstract: This study examines the relevance of fair value of assets and liabilities and mechanisms of good corporate governance as a moderating variable by using a sample banking companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2012 to 2014 year. The sampling method using purposive sampling and analysis of research data using Eviews. Mechanism of Good Corporate Governance in the study visits of the independent board, institutional investors and the audit committee of the company. Furthermore, this research also investigates the value relevance of accounting information such as book value, earnings, the fair value of financial assets and liabilities with a view influence on stock prices and stock returns. Ohlson Model (1995) into the measurement model used in this study, and this study examines both the measurement model Ohlson is the pricing model and the model returns to see the consistency of the study. Significant results indicate that the book value, earnings, the fair value of assets and liabilities fair value has relevance value. So we can conclude all variables affect stock prices and stock returns. In addition, Good corporate governance mechanisms able to moderate over the value relevance of book value, earnings, fair value of financial assets and liabilities fair value.

Abstract: This study explores the strategy of value investing, specifically for the insurance industry in Thailand. It employs multiple measures of “value,” suitable for insurance companies, such as the price-to-earning (PE), price-to-book (PB), and cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE). Value premium exists in the Thai insurance industry, and most of the value portfolios constructed from these measures significantly outperform the market, even when adjusting for price volatility and portfolio’s β$\beta $. The cumulative returns are also higher for the value stocks, when compared to the growth stocks, and the Thai stock market. Constructing a value portfolio, using the PE ratio, results in the highest returns and is far better than PB and CAPE. The value anomaly cannot be fully explained by either the capital asset pricing model or the Fama-French three-factor models.

Abstract: Purpose This paper aims to examine the capital market effects and predominance of unregulated embedded value (EV) financial reporting in the life insurance industry in foreign domestic markets, and US markets for foreign firms that cross-list in the USA. Design/methodology/approach Recent empirical archival data are analyzed and evaluated to determine the incremental and relative value relevance of an unregulated valuation metric that is disclosed by life insurers. Findings The findings support the proposition that EV is valuable supplemental information in foreign domestic markets, and in US markets for foreign life insurers that cross-list in the USA. Given that International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) are engaged in projects to improve accounting standard for insurance companies, and have faced criticism with the existing drafts on this issue, the two institutions ought to consider the valuation relevance of EV disclosures. Moreover, this analysis strongly suggests that financial analysts in the USA should consider EV in valuing life insurers’ stocks. Practical implications The findings discussed in this paper are of special interest to financial reporting policy makers, financial analysts, firm compensation committees and managers, and academics. Originality/value This paper contributes to the extant literature by providing recent evidence that suggests that EV, an unregulated fair value market-driven metric, is more value-relevant than traditional earnings metrics such as earnings and book value. It is the only study that we are cognizant of that critically examines the recent empirical literature on this evolving issue.

Abstract: Empirical literature on value and growth style investing finds value style investing to be a favorable long-term investment strategy. But the value premium, as explained by Basu [1977] and Fama and French [1992], has been subject to important criticism. For example, Peters [1991], Estrada [2005], and Penman and Reggiani [2013a] argued that value and growth investment strategies should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. Their contention further earns credibility when academics fail to explain the value premium in value stocks. In this article, the authors argue that the value premium puzzle is a result of the lack of a valid asset pricing model. They show that that the key problem that lies behind the value premium puzzle is related to standard risk measures and thus related to the discount rate. They further show that investment style biases can be avoided by estimating a fair value that not only considers economic size metrics, but also controls for individual stocks’ heterogeneous risk and reward characteristics independent from market price. The authors introduce fair value indexation , designed to avoid systematic biases not just in capitalization-weighted indexes but also in traditional style and fundamentally weighted indexes, while delivering improved long-term risk adjusted returns of very similar liquidity and capacity as capitalization-weighted equity market indexes.

Abstract: In times of market turmoil volatility increases and stock values and interest rates decrease, so that the risks in the balance sheets of insurance companies increase. An important part of these risks is due to the guarantees that are embedded in insurance policies. Life insurers sell products like unit-linked, profit sharing and variable annuity products. These contracts contain guarantees to the policyholders. Such contracts embedded in the insurers’ liabilities are called embedded options. The value and cash flow of these contracts are respectively relevant for the balance sheet and the profit and loss account. Typically in periods of volatile markets, the value of these embedded options increase, so that the insurance company must hold a larger liability value on the balance sheet in order to be able to pay out future cash flows. The valuation of these embedded options in insurance liabilities is therefore important to insurers for risk management applications. In this thesis we consider various topics regarding the valuation of these embedded options.

Abstract: Based on the business characteristics and EVA, the paper develops an econometric model for the long-term value of grid corporations in China, and analyzes the value drivers and path selection correspondingly. The study shows that, the growing long-term value of grid corporations derives from the creation of future value, and the fundamental factor is an increase in investment. Grid corporations should target at investment management and capital optimization, realizing the goal of long-term value.

Abstract: Purpose This paper examines whether risk disclosure practices affect stock return volatility and company value in the European insurance industry. Design/methodology/approach Using a self-constructed “Risk Disclosure Index for Insurers” (RDII) to measure the extent of information disclosed on risks and employing panel data regression on a sample of European insurers for 2005–2010, it tests: i) the relationship between RDII and stock return volatility; ii) whether this relationship is affected by financial crisis; iii) whether RDII affects insurance companies’ embedded value. Findings The main results indicate that higher RDII contributes to higher volatility, suggesting that “less is more” rather than “more is good”. However, higher RDII leads to lower volatility when the insurer has a positive net income, thus “more is good when all is good” and “less is good when all is bad”. Furthermore, the relationship between RDII and stock return volatility is not affected by financial crisis, raising concerns rega...

Abstract: Value-based pricing is by many companies as well as in academia perceived as the preferred pricing model. The pricing literature includes a long-standing debate on pricing authority and centralized pricing authority can be associated with value-based pricing strategies. A critical success factor for value-based pricing is customer value assessment, and many companies have experienced challenges in implementing value assessment to support its value-based pricing. This paper outlines how centralized versus delegated value assessment responsibility depends on the organization’s value creation character and the variations in value in use for different customers within individual market segments. Based on the integration of literature on pricing and value configurations we propose a framework which we then exemplify by four illustrative cases for which data were gathered by semi-structured interviews. By considering the implications of value creation models on value assessment following our framework we contribute to the understanding of how value assessment responsibilities should be assigned for firms working with value-based pricing.