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Maturity rationing and collective short-termism

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  • Milbradt, Konstantin
  • Oehmke, Martin

Abstract

Financing terms and investment decisions are jointly determined. This interdependence, which links firms׳ asset and liability sides, can lead to short-termism in investment. In our model, financing frictions increase with the investment horizon, such that financing for long-term projects is relatively expensive and potentially rationed. In response, firms whose first-best investments are long-term may adopt second-best projects of shorter maturities. This worsens financing terms for firms with shorter-maturity projects, inducing them to change their investments as well. In equilibrium, investment is inefficiently short-term. Equilibrium asset-side adjustments by firms can amplify shocks and, while privately optimal, can be socially undesirable.

Suggested Citation

  • Milbradt, Konstantin & Oehmke, Martin, 2015. "Maturity rationing and collective short-termism," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(3), pages 553-570.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:118:y:2015:i:3:p:553-570
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2014.08.009
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Short-termism; Asset maturity; Credit rationing; Asymmetric information; Cross-firm externality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • 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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