Implications of survival and data trimming for tests of market efficiency

Predictability of future returns using ex ante information (e.g., analyst forecasts) violates market efficiency. We show that predictability can be due to non-random data deletion, especially in skewed distributions of long-horizon security returns. Passive deletion arises because some firms do not survive the post-event long horizon. Active deletion arises when extreme observations are truncated by the researcher. Simulations demonstrate that data deletion induces a negative relation between future returns and ex ante information variables. Analysis of actual data suggests a 30-50% bias in the estimated relations. We recommend specific robustness checks when testing return predictability using ex ante information. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.