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Cross-shareholding network and corporate bond financing cost in China

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  • Guo, Hongling
  • Sun, Yue
  • Qiu, Xuemei

Abstract

This study examines the effect of cross-shareholding network centrality on the cost of corporate bond financing. Based on a sample of Chinese A-share listed firms that issued general corporate bonds from 2007 to 2018, we adopt a social network analysis method and use three indicators (Degree, Betweenness, and Eigenvector) and the principal factor (Composite) extracted from them to measure the firms’ centrality in the cross-shareholding network. We find that bondholders’ demand lowers bond yield spreads for firms with higher cross-shareholding network centrality. In further analyses, we explore the impact mechanisms using mediator models and find that such centrality promotes resource accessing, information disclosure, and corporate governance, thus decreasing corporate bond financing cost. In addition, we incorporate the moderate effect of geographical location and find that the relationship between cross-shareholding network centrality and corporate bond financing cost is more significant in firms located in remote places.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Hongling & Sun, Yue & Qiu, Xuemei, 2021. "Cross-shareholding network and corporate bond financing cost in China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:57:y:2021:i:c:s1062940821000565
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2021.101423
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cross-shareholding network centrality; Corporate bond financing cost; Bond yield spreads;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H63 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Debt; Debt Management; Sovereign Debt
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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