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Real Effects of Subjectivity in Measuring Fair Values

Verena Braun et al.

Journal of Accounting Research2026https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679x.70045article
FT50UTD24AJG 4*ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

This study examines how the subjectivity in measuring fair values of assets without readily observable market prices affects investment efficiency and shareholder value. When fair values are objective measures of asset value, they facilitate efficient investment decisions that align with shareholder interests. In contrast, firms' reliance on subjective valuation inputs causes underinvestment in long‐term projects. If fair values are highly subjective, they may lead firms to favor less profitable short‐term projects with objectively measurable fair values. When project returns are positively correlated, subjectivity in valuing long‐term projects induces overinvestment in short‐term projects with objective fair values. Regardless of these distortions, fair value measurement can add shareholder value. Not measuring fair values altogether leads to underinvestment, which moderately subjective fair values can alleviate.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679x.70045

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@article{verena2026,
  title        = {{Real Effects of Subjectivity in Measuring Fair Values}},
  author       = {Verena Braun et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Accounting Research},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679x.70045},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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