Valuation Scepticism, Liquidity Benefits and Closed-end Fund Premiums/Discounts: Evidence From Fair Value Disclosures

Document Type

Article

Comments

Published by Wiley Blackwell in Accounting & Finance, volume 54 issue 3, September 2014, p. 729-751.

Bryant users can access this article here.

Keywords

Liquidity, closed-end funds, fair value, stocks

Publisher

Wiley Blackwell

Publication Source

Account & Finance

Abstract

Closed-end fund investors may view assets valued using level 2 and 3 inputs more sceptically because of the subjectivity of these inputs (valuation scepticism), or these assets could be viewed favourably because they allow small investors to access illiquid securities (liquidity benefit). We find that funds holding level 3 assets have higher value when funds trade at a premium, but lower value when funds trade at a discount. Both of these effects are magnified for funds with higher levels of unrealized appreciation. Our results suggest that liquidity benefit (valuation scepticism) is more important when funds trade at a premium (discount).

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS