Investor Intelligence and Firm Innovation Behavior
(A2023-113578)

AUTHORS

Dorian Petrich, Goethe University Frankfurt; Simone Wies, Goethe University Frankfurt

ABSTRACT

Firms frequently announce their plans for future product introductions. As a consequence of those announcements, investors update their expectations of the firm's future cash flows. The authors argue that the resulting stock market reaction can be a valuable input for a firm's innovation and product launch process. Based on a sample of 1,302 new product pre-announcements made by 289 software and tech companies, there is clear evidence that products are more likely to be delayed if the market reaction to their pre-announcement is adverse. Delaying the introduction gives firms more time to rework their product or their go-to-market strategy. This relationship is less pronounced if managers have difficulties interpreting the stock market signal. We also find that ''feedback-susceptible'' firms outperform other firms in the long run. Our results highlight the need for all managers to listen to their investors to generate shareholder value.