Comparability

Information flow is a key parameter in an economic activity and acts as the main factor in the appearance, stability and efficiency of capital markets. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of comparability and environmental uncertainty on the expected rate of return in oil, gas and petrochemical firms. The current study applies panel regression method estimator to investigate the relationship between comparability, environmental uncertainty, and the expected rate of return of 500 firm-year observations in oil, gas and petrochemical firms listed in Iran Securities and Stock exchanges for the period of 2009-2018. The results of the research show that the comparability and uncertainty has a significant effect on the expected rate of return. In other words, the results of the research show that the expected rate of return is a function of comparability and it varies in different levels of comparability. Key words: Comparability, Expected rate of return, Uncertainty

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of cost leadership and product differentiation strategies on the comparability of financial statements among firms listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). As two major strategic approaches, these methods are expected to reduce costs, diversify products, and enhance the evaluation of firms by users of financial information. Methodology/Design/Approach: A sample of 142 firms listed on the TSE during the period 2014–2022 was analyzed. The research hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression and panel data methodology, implemented through EViews-13 software. Findings: The empirical results reveal that both product differentiation and cost leadership strategies are positively and significantly associated with financial statement comparability. Specifically, product differentiation enhances comparability by emphasizing unique characteristics, while cost leadership improves comparability through systematic cost reduction. Innovation: This study contributes to the accounting literature by demonstrating how strategic management choices influence financial reporting quality. The findings highlight that cost leadership and product differentiation strategies not only strengthen operational efficiency but also provide measurable benchmarks that facilitate comparability in financial statements.