Thewissen, JamesKharin, MikhailMikhailKharin2025-05-142025-05-142025-05-142024https://hdl.handle.net/2078.2/38252This study aims to determine whether cross-listed companies in the US stock market tend to place more emphasis on GAAP measures to gain investor confidence, considering their geographical distance and cultural differences. Using a database of 103,598 conference call transcripts over the period from the third quarter of 2002 to the fourth quarter of 2021, which include both domestic US companies and cross-listed companies, we found that cross-listed companies generally emphasize GAAP. However, their first reported EPS amount often comes from non-GAAP figures. Additionally, we observed that national characteristics significantly influence how these cross-listed companies prioritize GAAP, although the results are mixed. Finally, we found that the origin of the cross-listed company impacts investor confidence. This potentially explains why foreign companies do not enter the US market on equal footing; their origin may either hinder or boost their appeal to US institutional investors. Overall, this paper contributes to existing literature by demonstrating that cultural characteristics, as defined by Geert Hofstede, are significant indicators in public disclosures. These characteristics influence how companies from different countries present their results, and their origin affects investors' decisions. The paper also offers valuable guidance for foreign companies considering listing on the US stock exchange.GAAPNon-GAAPConference CallsCultural FinanceHofstedeDisclosure EmphasisCross-ListedCultural Dimensionstext::thesis::master thesisthesis:45474