Accounting and Stock Market Performance in the US: Evidence from Joiners and Leavers

We consider recent data from three major US indices (S & P500, NASDAQ 100, and DJIA) to examine the effect of joiners and leavers on stock market returns and volatility. We report (a) a positive effect of leavers on stock market returns (S & P500, DJIA), (b) a positive effect of leavers on stock market volatility (S & P500), and (c) a negative effect of joiners on DJIA stock market returns and volatility. No effects reported for NASDAQ100. We compare these results with the profitability, P/E and Price to Book index ratios. These findings are recommended to financial managers and investors dealing with US stock indices.