Do stock prices reflect regulatory reforms in the corporate governance mechanisms?

Abstract

This study provides evidence on the value relevance of corporate governance mechanisms in a developing stock exchange. It empirically investigates the effect of corporate governance mechanisms prescribed by the corporate governance law (L.3016/2002) on abnormal stock returns for firms listed in the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE). The first corporate governance law in Greece aims to improve the existing corporate governance framework. However, stock prices seem no to be affected by the regulatory reforms in the corporate governance mechanisms. Three reasons are given: (1) the fundamental economic value of a firm is not affected by the introduction of corporate governance mechanisms; (2) the fundamental economic value of a firm is affected by the introduction of corporate governance mechanisms but due to the fact that the Greek stock market is not efficient share prices do not reflect firm’s fundamental economic value; and (3) investors may not be convinced that corporate governance mechanisms significantly affect the performance of a company.The findings of this study can facilitate legislators in improving the existing legislation concerning corporate governance and in developing a new one.