Corporate reporting : adoption of forward-looking reporting by Zimbabwean listed companies

Abstract

This study examines the disclosure of forward-looking information in annual reports of companies listed on Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE). It aims to determine if ZSE listed companies disclose forward-looking information and if they do disclose, how helpful the information is to the intended users of the annual report for decision making purposes? The factors proposed for the investigation are therefore disclosure and effectiveness of the forward-looking information. Since the annual reports represent the main source of voluntary disclosures of forward-looking information, the investigation uses a disclosure index based on an analysis of the statements made by management in annual reports of the companies listed on ZSE. In this study, the level of forward-looking information disclosed in the annual reports of the firms is examined in three broad categories namely, (a) context, nature, objectives and strategies, (b) drivers of development and performance, and (c) financial position, analysis and explanations . We find that companies do disclose forward-looking information. However, 9 out 10 companies sampled reflect that the level of disclosure lacks the critical detail and clarity necessary for decision making by its intended users. On average, excluding Old Mutual that is listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges and has the highest score of 4 (i.e. above average disclosure - information is rich and detailed and contains key information), ZSE companies disclosed below average forwardlooking information insufficient to give a clear understanding of the position and performance of the company. The findings also suggest that companies disclosed forward-looking information without fully understanding the implications of the disclosure of such kind of information. This is evident in that, except for Old Mutual, no disclaimers or any notes were made by companies to cover themselves from litigations that could arise as a result of such disclosure. This could also suggest that Zimbabwe is not a litigious country in as far as reporting by companies is concerned.