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Economic policy uncertainty and corporate financialization: Evidence from China

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  • Zhao, Yan
  • Su, Kun

Abstract

Using a quarterly sample of Chinese non-financial listed firms from 2007 to 2020, we find a U-shaped relationship between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and corporate financialization. When economic policy uncertainty (EPU) is in an appropriate range, the increase of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) is unlikely to make firms increase financial assets investment. In contrast, the operational risk induced by too high economic policy uncertainty (EPU) will make firms more willing to invest in financial assets. Additionally, we show that the effect is more noticeable when firms are non-state-owned, have lower financing constraints, or are located in lower marketization regions. The results are robust after various specifications of variables, possible endogeneity issues, and sub-samples are considered.

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  • Zhao, Yan & Su, Kun, 2022. "Economic policy uncertainty and corporate financialization: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:82:y:2022:i:c:s1057521922001442
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2022.102182
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    3. Guan Ping Zhu & He Fa Gui & Tao Peng & Chong Hui Jiang, 2023. "Corporate tax avoidance and corporate financialization: The moderating effect of managerial myopia," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(1), pages 459-472, January.
    4. Ruize Cai & Kyung Hwan Yun & Minho Kim, 2022. "Financing Constraints and Corporate Value in China: The Moderating Role of Multinationality and Ownership Type," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, September.
    5. Zhong, Huaming & Al-Duais, Zinb Abduljabbar Mohamed & Peng, Biyu, 2023. "The impact of idiosyncratic risk on corporate financialisation——Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    6. Huang, Jin & Jin, Yong & Duan, Yang & She, Yanling, 2023. "Do Chinese firms speculate during high economic policy uncertainty? Evidence from wealth management products," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic policy uncertainty; Corporate financialization; Financing constraint; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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