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Managerial optimism: New observations on the unifying theory

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  • J. B. Heaton

Abstract

Managerial optimism theory is behavioral finance's greatest achievement. It explains two prominent features of corporate financial behavior – over‐investment and pecking‐order capital structure preferences – that otherwise require two different theories with mutually incompatible assumptions about managerial loyalties to shareholder‐value maximization. After reviewing the development of managerial optimism as a unifying theory, I use a simple change of measure to transform risk‐averse optimism to risk‐neutral probabilities that can be pessimistic or optimistic depending on wealth changes. This unexplored feature has implications for, among other things, pay for performance when managers are excessively optimistic.

Suggested Citation

  • J. B. Heaton, 2019. "Managerial optimism: New observations on the unifying theory," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 25(5), pages 1150-1167, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:eufman:v:25:y:2019:i:5:p:1150-1167
    DOI: 10.1111/eufm.12218
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    Cited by:

    1. Weifeng Xu & Qingsong Ruan & Chang Liu, 2019. "Can the Famous University Experience of Top Managers Improve Corporate Performance? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Chowdhury, Rajib & Doukas, John A. & Mandal, Sonik, 2023. "CEO risk preferences, hedging intensity, and firm value," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    3. Rodgers, Waymond & Hudson, Robert & Economou, Fotini, 2023. "Modelling credit and investment decisions based on AI algorithmic behavioral pathways," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    4. Huixiang Zeng & Limin Zheng & Xiaoyu Li & Yutong Zhang & Linrong Chen, 2023. "Are optimistic CEOs and pessimistic CFOs the best partners? Evidence from corporate cash holdings," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, December.

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