UTS
UTS
UTS
An adverse selection problem can arise from information asymmetry between firm
insiders and ordinary investors. Required
a. Explain what the adverse selection problem is in this context.
Referring to that context, there are two versions of adverse selection problem. First, it
is called insider trading, this happens when the firm insiders see an opportunity to
obtain excessive profits by trading of their insider information to a certain party or
investor who is willing to pay more for that insider information. This will trigger the
ordinary investors to reduce the amount they are willing to pay for all securities, or
even withdraw from the market completely.
The second version of adverse selection problem occurs when the managers decide
not to release bad news about the firm’s future information to avoid or postpone the
negative effects on the company. Both versions results in failure to produce a first-
best information due to its lack of timeliness.
b. How can financial accounting information reduce the adverse selection
problem?
Financial accounting information helps to reduce adverse selection through:
- Full disclosure of useful information in the financial statements and note. The
concept of full disclosure suggests finer information production. Full disclosure
increases the informativeness of the information system, enabling better
discrimination between relevant states of the firm.
- Supplementary disclosure such as MD&A and RRA.
In addition, the investors tend to seek for a company that gives them insurance in
their financial accounting information, this will motivate the managers to choose a
high quality audit to add more reliability to its financial accounting information and
also to convince the investors that the information are disclosed truthfully.