Can Financial Literacy Explain Lack of Investment in Risky Assets in Japan?

Although household savings in Japan are among the highest in the world, investment in risky assets is still very low. This study examines whether financial literacy explains the lack of investment in risky assets in Japan. We use data from the Preference Parameter Study, a nationwide survey in Japan that has been conducted by Osaka University. We use investment in stocks, investment trusts, futures/options, Japanese government bonds, government bonds of foreign countries, and foreign currency deposits as a proxy for investment in risky assets. Our results show that investment in risky assets is higher among financially literate people. Moreover, financial literacy has a significantly positive association with investment in risky assets even after controlling the demographic, socio-economic, and psychological factors. We check the robustness of the association between financial literacy and investment in risky assets by segregating investment in risky assets into investment in equity securities and investment in bonds and foreign currencies. Financial literacy is found to be associated with both investment in equity securities and investment in bonds and foreign currencies. Our results are also robust in terms of the endogeneity issue. The results imply that investment in risky assets in financial markets could be increased by introducing financial literacy programs at a mass level.

Fair value accounting impact on decision-usefulness of accounting information: evidence from accounting standards update 2016–01 on the USinsurance industry

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of ASU 2016–01 on the predictive value, the confirmatory value and the value relevance of earnings. One of the key provisions of ASU 2016–01 is the requirement that all changes in unrealized gains and losses on all equity securities are recognized in income instead of other comprehensive income (OCI) as under prior guidance (SFAS 115). Because many companies in the insurance industry are large holders of equity securities, the sample for this study consists of firms from the insurance industry. Design/methodology/approach The author compares the change in earnings volatility and analysts’ forecast error for the periods before and after adoption of ASU 2016–01, and the relationship between the percentages of assets invested in equity securities for both earnings volatility and analysts’ forecast error. Further, the author tests the price reaction at the time of the release of earnings using an event study. The author also tests the value reliance of earnings measured by the correlation of earnings and stock prices, as well as the change in earnings and stock returns. The association between investment gain/loss components of earnings, and OCI, with stock prices and returns is tested for value relevance. Findings The findings of this study show that earnings volatility and analysts’ forecast errors increased in the period after adopting ASU 2016–01 and an initial overreaction to earnings releases. Further, the investment gain/loss components of earnings and OCI are not value-relevant in this study and including unrealized gains/losses on equity securities in income decreased value relevance of earnings in the post-adoption period, particularly for firms with large equity investment portfolios. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to one industry and only represents the impact of ASU 2016–01 on that industry. Thus, there are opportunities to extend the research to other industries. Furthermore, the time-period of study since adopting ASU 2016–01 is limited to only two years and with the passage of time, a greater sample of post-ASU 2016–01 will be available for testing. Practical implications Standard setters considering recognizing fair value changes on all investment securities in income should consider the findings of this study. Further, industry participants affected by ASU 2016–01 should consider improving explanation of earnings to mitigate the initial misunderstanding of earning announcements found in this study. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study on the effects of ASU 2016–01 on volatility of earnings, earnings forecast errors, market reactions to earnings releases and the value relevance of earnings. This paper fills a gap in prior research by studying the effects of fair value on reported earnings, which is limited in prior research. This study contributes to the growing field of research on fair value accounting.

Legal regulation of digitalization processes in the Russian Federation: civil law aspect

The subject of this research is the trends and problems in the development of civil legislation within the framework of legal regulation of digitalization processes in the Russian Federation. The goal of this article lies in comprehensive examination and disclosure of the legal essence of the concept of digital rights as an object of civil rights, introduced into the Russian legislation within the framework of legal regulation of digitalization processes. The research methodology employs systematic approach, general scientific and special methods of legal science – formal-legal, interpretation of law, etc. For achieving the set goal, the author explores the prerequisites for the development of civil law provision pf digitalization processes; analyzes the novelties of civil legislation pertinent to implementation of various types of digital rights into civil discourse; studies the legal essence of digital rights; determine the ratio between digital rights and equity securities within the civil discourse. The scientific novelty lies in revealing the legal essence of digital rights as a special concept uses in civil law ; systematic analysis of the utilitarian digital rights and digital financial assets that  encompass all types of digital rights in the current Russian legislation; substantiation of the fact that property rights in their extensive interpretation used in legal science and case law are the generic concept of digital rights; outlining that the content and conditions for exercising digital rights are determined conformity with the rules of the information system that meets the criteria established by law; examination and explanation of interrelation between different types of digital financial assets and equity securities in the civil discourse. The acquired results can be applied in further research of civil law regulation of digitalization processes, in teaching civil law disciplines in the higher school.