Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2016
Abstract
Using actions with both an SEC investigation and a class action as our baseline, we compare the targeting of SEC-only investigations with class-action-only lawsuits. Looking at measures of information asymmetry, we find that investors in the market perceive greater information asymmetry following the public announcement of the underlying violation for class-action-only lawsuits compared with SEC-only investigations. Turning to sanctions, we find that the incidence of top officer resignation is greater for class-action-only lawsuits relative to SEC-only investigations. Our findings are consistent with the private enforcement targeting disclosure violations at least as precisely as (if not more so than) SEC enforcement.
Recommended Citation
Pritchard, Adam C., co-author. "SEC Investigations and Securities Class Actions: An Empirical Comparison." S. J. Choi, co-author. J. Empirical Legal Stud. 13, no. 1 (2016): 27-49.
Comments
Also available in the Wiley Online Library at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jels.12096/full.