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Strategic underleveraging and acquisitions

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  • Blomkvist, Magnus
  • Felixson, Karl
  • Löflund, Anders
  • Vyas, Hitesh

Abstract

This paper investigates the Morellec and Zhdanov (2008) (MZ) prediction that firms strategically underleverage to win takeover contests. We document support for several specific MZ model predictions: pre-bid underleveraging increases with bidding competition, synergies offered by targets, investment type, industry concentration, and with firms actively adjusting their capital structure in advance of bidding. An empirically verified financial frictions explanation does not fully account for these patterns. Taken together, we find consistent evidence that strategic underleveraging conditional on the acquisition outlook is an important determinant of capital structure dynamics.

Suggested Citation

  • Blomkvist, Magnus & Felixson, Karl & Löflund, Anders & Vyas, Hitesh, 2022. "Strategic underleveraging and acquisitions," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:76:y:2022:i:c:s0929119922001262
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2022.102283
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capital structure; Mergers and acquisitions; Industrial competition; Bidding competition; Strategic capital structure; Financial flexibility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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