The comparative power of earnings and cash flow in predicting future cash flow
Abstract
The study aims to investigate the comparative power of cash flow, earnings and accrual components to facilitate the forecast of future cash flow (one year in advance). The research models are established based on the framework of Barth et al. (2001). In the study, data of earnings are extracted by using earnings before interest and taxes while that cash flow and accrual components by indirect method cash flow statements. After processing data, a total of 231 listed companies on HOSE from 2011 to 2015 (amounting to 924 firm-year observations) are obtained and examined. The results reveal that the predictability of earnings for future cash flow can be enhanced as earnings are decomposed into components of working capital accruals. Given the findings, the study contribute the limited research on ability of earnings to predict future cash flows to Vietnam capital market, thus, putting forward for further study to investigate their impacts on different industries as well as factors that can influence on the changes of accruals.