scholarly journals The zero-leverage phenomenon in European listed firms: A financing decision or an imposition of the financial market?

2021 ◽  
pp. 234094442110246
Author(s):  
Flávio Morais ◽  
Zélia Serrasqueiro ◽  
Joaquim JS Ramalho
Keyword(s):  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Financial Flexibility ◽  
Financing Decision ◽  
Macroeconomic Conditions ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Econometric Methods ◽  
Dividend Payments

This article provides empirical evidence on the zero-leverage phenomenon for a sample of European listed firms for the period 1995–2016. It is shown that there are two types of firms with zero leverage: the financially constrained firms that face obstacles in obtaining external finance, as predicted by the financial constraints hypothesis; and the financially unconstrained firms that maintain zero leverage as a consequence of a financing decision, which supports the financial flexibility hypothesis. The zero-leverage phenomenon is also influenced by the financial system that prevails in each country, being boosted (inhibited) in market-based (bank-based) financial systems, and by the country’s macroeconomic conditions, with the recent financial and sovereign debt crises increasing the propensity for zero leverage in market-based countries. We also find that the financial flexibility hypothesis seems to be more important in market-based systems and that the financial constraints approach did not gain importance during the crisis period. Our results are robust to the use of alternative measures of debt conservatism, explanatory variables, and econometric methods and maintain their validity when we allow for endogeneity in firm size and dividend payments. JEL CLASSIFICATION G32

How Moroccan institutional investors view dividend policy

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1332-1347 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kent Baker ◽  
Imad Jabbouri
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Stock Prices ◽  
Dividend Policy ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
High Response Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Dividend Policies ◽  
Dividend Payments

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how Moroccan institutional investors view dividend policy. It discusses the importance these investors attach to the dividend policy of their investee firms, how much influence they exercise in shaping investee firms’ dividend policies, their reactions to changes in dividends, and their views on various explanations for paying dividends. Design/methodology/approach A mail survey provides a respondent and firm profile and responses to 28 questions involving various explanations for paying dividends and 30 questions on different dividend issues. Findings Institutional investors attach substantial importance to dividend policy and prefer high dividend payments. Although liquidity needs are a major driver, taxes play little role in shaping dividend preferences. Respondents agree with multiple explanations for paying dividends giving the strongest support to catering, bird-in-the-hand, life cycle, signaling, and agency theories. Research limitations/implications Despite a high response rate, the number of respondents limits partitioning the sample and testing for significant differences between different groups. Practical implications The lack of communication between Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) listed firms and institutional investors may depress stock prices and increase volatility. The results suggest agency problems and a weak governance environment at the CSE. Originality/value This study documents the importance that institutional investors place on dividend policy, their reactions to changes in their investees’ dividend policy, and the methods used to influence these firms. It extends previous research by reporting the level of support Moroccan institutional investors give to various explanations for paying dividends.

scholarly journals Asymmetric targeting of corporate cash holdings and financial constraints in Pakistani firms

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-97
Author(s):  
Ghulam Ayehsa Siddiqua ◽  
Ajid ur Rehman ◽  
Shahzad Hussain
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Cash Holdings ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Dynamic Panel Data ◽  
Asymmetric Adjustment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Target Firms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the asymmetric adjustment of cash holdings in Pakistani firms for above and below target firms. Design/methodology/approach The study employs generalized method of moments (GMM) to investigate the adjustment of cash holdings. Findings The study found that the firms which hold cash above the optimal level of cash holdings have higher speed of adjustment than the firms which hold cash below the optimal level. Financially constrained (FC) firms also adjust their cash holdings faster than financially unconstrained (FUC) firms but high speed of downward adjustment does not remain persistent after financial constraints are controlled. Findings of this study reveal this asymmetric adjustment in above and below target firms and extend these results in FC and FUC Pakistani listed firms, respectively. Research limitations/implications The conclusion of this study has been derived under certain limitations. There is a vast space to extend this study in different dimensions. Firms operating in capital-intensive industries may provide different results for financial constraints because their policy designing would be quite different from other firms. Originality/value This study contributes to cash holdings research in Pakistan by exploring the adjustment behavior of cash holdings across Pakistani non-financial firms using econometric modeling. Downward adjustment rate is supposed to be higher than upward adjustment rate and this rate is tested using dynamic panel data model. Similarly, it is inferred that this relationship holds for above target firms even after including the financial constraints in the presented model.

Financial flexibility, managerial efficiency and firm life cycle on firm performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-180
Author(s):  
Heng-Yu Chang ◽  
Chun-Ai Ma
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Chinese Stock Market ◽  
Financial Flexibility ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Managerial Efficiency

Purpose As the capital market in China is still developing, several constraints on a Chinese-listed firm’s financing strategy have a direct impact on its financial flexibility. The purpose of this paper is to reconstruct traditional financial flexibility index (FFI) derived from the western context, provide empirical evidence within eastern context by modified FFI and examine how the managerial efficiency of Chinese-listed firms is demonstrated with modified FFI to escort corporate life cycle hypothesis. Design/methodology/approach By tailored FFI to fit the contemporary operations of Chinese-listed firms, this study investigates how managerial efficiency varies across different life stages to demonstrate the moderating power in the firm performance of financially flexible firm. Findings It is found that financially flexible firms in the Chinese stock market generally experience good firm performance, yet the managerial efficiency could gradually be diminishing at their mature stage even firms’ financial flexibility remains consistent with the agency theory. This paper sheds light on the necessity to reexamine the components in financial flexibility based on the eastern context, and provides avenue to further understand the managerial behavior of Chinese listed firms when considering firm life cycles. Research limitations/implications Although it is difficult for this current study to offer the precise weights on each factor in calculating financial flexibility, the judgment matrix method is adopted to at least provide reliable estimates in accordance with Chinese business contexts with less than 10 percent errors in contrast to the actual weights. Practical implications This modified FFI is particularly suitable for Chinese-listed firms under certain unique financial reporting regulations by adjusting a number of weights and factors. This study may help practitioners understand the managerial conduct of publicly listed firms in China. Originality/value The paper constructs a modified FFI with Chinese stock market characteristics embedded, and provides insightful evidence to explain the new pecking order theory by considering the life cycle stage of Chinese-listed companies.

scholarly journals Do We Need a Regulation on Dividends for Indonesia Stock Exchange?

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo Indra Wardhana ◽  
Eduardus Tandelilin
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
Dividend Payments ◽  
Life Cycle Hypothesis ◽  
Recent Idea

This study examines the dividend life-cycle hypothesis and the propensity of non-financial firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) to pay dividends, in light of a recent idea by the IDX to regulate dividend payments. Using several proxies of the life cycle, the results consistently show that Indonesian listed firms follow the dividend life-cycle hypothesis. Our results recommend that if the authority insists on regulating dividend payments, the regulation should take into account the firms’ life cycles. Firms should only be required to pay dividends when they reach a certain stage and/or meet defined characteristics, according to their stage or characteristics.

scholarly journals Corporate governance and capital structure in the periods of financial distress. Evidence from Greece

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 254-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kyriazopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Capital Structure ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Debt Crisis ◽  
Outside Directors ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Athens Stock Exchange

This study examines the relationship between corporate governance and capital structure employing data from the Athens Stock Exchange for the period 2005-2014. This period encompasses the sovereign debt crisis erupted in Greece at the end of 2009 and still continues to hit households and businesses alike. The results from the panel regression analysis signify the role of corporate governance structures in determining the capital structure of the Greek listed firms. In particular, the empirical results reveal a negative impact of board size on debt levels, which is weakened during the debt crisis period. In contrast, the presence of outside directors provides the appropriate certification to use more debt. Finally, growth opportunities and profitability are the two firm-specific factors which effect was weakened during the financially-constraint period.

INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, EXTERNAL FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND INVESTMENT CHOICE: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTANI FIRMS

2012 ◽  
Vol 01 (08) ◽  
pp. 18-22
Author(s):  
Muhammad AZAM ◽  
Syed Anum SHAH
Keyword(s):  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Dividend Payout ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Investment Choice ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Fixed Line ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of internal and external financial constraints on investment choice. The data have been taken from 9 major sectors (52 listed firms in the Karachi Stock Exchange) namely; Pharmaceutical & Bio Technology, Textile, Sugar, Tobacco, Chemicals, Oil and Gas, Fixed line Telecommunication, Industrial metal and Mining, and Cement sectors for the time period 2004 to 2010 on annual basis. Multiple regression analysis has been done to examine the relationship among firm’s size, dividend payout ratio, firm’s age, and investment. The empirical findings show that there is positive relationship between the firms’ size and investment while a negative relationship exists between firms’ age and investment. It also reports that there is negative relationship between dividend payout ratio and the investment. This shows that if a firm grows old or high dividend payout ratio then it will tend to spend less for expansion as compared to the young firms.

Reforming the Regulatory Treatment of Sovereign Exposures in Banking Regulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-122
Author(s):  
André Sterzel
Keyword(s):  
Financial Stability ◽  
Sovereign Debt ◽  
Debt Crisis ◽  
Banking Regulation ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Bank Capital ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Government Bonds ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Bank Balance Sheets

Abstract The European sovereign debt crisis has shown the tight linkage between sovereign and bank balance sheets. In the aftermath of the crisis, several reforms have been discussed in order to mitigate the sovereign-bank nexus. These reforms include the abolishment of preferential government bond treatment in banking regulation. This paper gives a detailed overview of literature and data which are closely related to the existing preferential sovereign bond treatment in bank regulation and highlights the need for reforms especially in the euro area. Against this background, the following three regulatory reforms are described and discussed: (i) positive risk weights for government bonds in bank capital regulation, (ii) sovereign exposure limits, and (iii) haircuts for government bonds in bank liquidity regulation. The discussion focusses on the effects of these reforms for bank behaviour and financial stability. JEL Classification: H63, H12, G11, G18

scholarly journals A Reexamination of Firm’s R&D Expenditure Behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Hsin-Jung Hsieh ◽  
Yen-Chih Liu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Macroeconomic Conditions ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Market Competitiveness ◽  
Growth Opportunity ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Knowledge acts as a crucial element in economic activities. For knowledge-intensive business, R&D activities maintain market competitiveness and create new firm value. R&D expenditure indeed brings forth potential growth opportunities for firm value although the growth may take a long time to achieve. Apart from that, it usually accompanies problems of agency costs and asymmetric information in daily firm operations, which, in turn, may offset the certainty of a firm’s increasing value. This study examines the decision-making on optimal R&D expenditure for listed firms in Taiwan. From January 1986 to December 2013, the data of all the listed firms excluding financial, insurance, and securities firms have been analyzed. In addition, to further explore the differences in decision-making among different macroeconomic conditions, industrial attributes and firms’ characteristics, we divide all samples into subsamples to reexamine. The empirical findings indicate that firms may weigh the cost and benefit of R&D expenditure in its decision, but the driving factor lies in firm’s return on assets (ROA), potential growth opportunity, and capital structure.

scholarly journals Impact of Corporate Governance on Firms’ Financial Flexibility in the Emerging Economy: Evidence From Bangladesh

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Md Rashidul Islam ◽  
Man Wang ◽  
Muhammad Zulfiqar
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Firm Size ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Financial Constraints ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Financial Flexibility ◽  
Book Value ◽  
Internal Funds ◽  
Debt Capacity ◽  
The Relationship

Corporate governance has a positive impact on firm performance. Financial flexible firms are a better performer when there are financial constraints as well as financial crises. However, what motivates financial flexibility is a dearth research area in the existing finance literature. The objectives of this research are to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and financial flexibility; how corporate governance influence financial flexibility; and, what factors of corporate governance are dominant to influence financial flexibility. To pursue the research objectives we chose Cement Industry of Bangladesh as a case. We consider liquidity, Internal Funds and Unused debt capacity as the proxy of financial flexibility and Ownership Concentration, Board Size, Board Independence as Corporate Governance variables and Firm Size, Market to Book Ratio, Debt Capacity, Financial Constraints and Firm Age as control variable to estimate the relationship between corporate governance and financial flexibility. This study evidences that Board Structure has no significant influence on firms’ cash holding(Liquidity).However, Firms Age and Market to Book Value have a significant influence on firms' cash position. This study also finds that Ownership Structure has no positive impact on Firms' Unused Debt Capacity but Financial Constraints and Market to Book Value have a positive significant impact on firms' unused debt capacity. However, Firm Size has a positive relationship with Internal Funds.

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