VALUE RELEVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARD FOUR OF LISTED NIGERIAN INSURANCE FIRMS

Abstract

There is growing concern among regulators and investors over the depreciation in the value of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. The study examines the value relevance of the information content of IFRS 4: Insurance Contracts disclosure of listed insurance firms in Nigeria for the period 2012 to 2020. It further compares value relevance of accounting numbers, with high IFRS 4 disclosures and those with lower disclosures. The study adopted correlational research design. The population for the study consisted of all the 26 insurance firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as at 31st December 2020, with a sample size of 15 firms. The Ohlson Price Model was adopted for the study. Using robust ordinary least square regression, the study found IFRS 4 disclosures to be value relevant. Also, EPS of Insurance firms with high compliance with IFRS 4 is not more value relevant than that of firms with low compliance with IFRS 4, BVPS of Insurance firms with high compliance with IFRS 4 is more value relevant than that of firms with low compliance with IFRS 4. Overall, findings from the study strengthen the position that IFRS improves the quality of accounting information in annual reports. Furthermore, the study recommends among others that management of insurance firms should work towards improved compliance with IFRS 4 as this would boost investor confidence thereby improving their performance in the stock market.