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Cash flows and leverage adjustments

Author

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  • Faulkender, Michael
  • Flannery, Mark J.
  • Hankins, Kristine Watson
  • Smith, Jason M.

Abstract

Recent research has emphasized the impact of transaction costs on firm leverage adjustments. We recognize that cashflow realizations can provide opportunities to adjust leverage at relatively low marginal cost. We find that a firm's cashflow features affect not only the leverage target, but also the speed of adjustment toward that target. Heterogeneity in adjustment speeds is driven by an economically meaningful concept: adjustment costs. Accounting for this fact produces adjustment speeds that are significantly faster than previously estimated in the literature. We also analyze how both financial constraints and market timing variables affect adjustments toward a leverage target.

Suggested Citation

  • Faulkender, Michael & Flannery, Mark J. & Hankins, Kristine Watson & Smith, Jason M., 2012. "Cash flows and leverage adjustments," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(3), pages 632-646.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:103:y:2012:i:3:p:632-646
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2011.10.013
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Leverage; Target; Speed of adjustment; Adjustment costs;
    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

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