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Corporate precautionary savings: Evidence from the recent financial crisis

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  • Sun, Zhenzhen
  • Wang, Yaping

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of the recent financial crisis on corporate cash holdings and saving propensities. We find that on average, firms reduce their cash holdings in the first year of the crisis when the supply of external finance is tightened, and increase their holdings in cash from the third quarter of 2008 when the demand-side effects of the crisis are stronger. More importantly, we find that the positive cash flow sensitivities of cash are significantly stronger during the financial crisis. This effect is more pronounced in financially constrained firms and firms with a high precautionary motive. Our results suggest that firms tended to save more as a precautionary motive during the recent financial crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Zhenzhen & Wang, Yaping, 2015. "Corporate precautionary savings: Evidence from the recent financial crisis," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 175-186.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:56:y:2015:i:c:p:175-186
    DOI: 10.1016/j.qref.2014.09.006
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    3. Xin Su & Shengshi Zhou & Rui Xue & Jinfang Tian, 2020. "Does economic policy uncertainty raise corporate precautionary cash holdings? Evidence from China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(5), pages 4567-4592, December.
    4. Gopalakrishnan, Balagopal & Jacob, Joshy & Mohapatra, Sanket, 2021. "Risk-sensitive Basel regulations and firms’ access to credit: Direct and indirect effects," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
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    7. Feng, Ling & Lang, Henan & Pei, Tingting, 2022. "Zombie firms and corporate savings: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 551-564.
    8. Kim, Seonhyeon & Thompson, Ephraim Kwashie & Kim, Changki, 2023. "Credit rating and managerial behavior in investment decision making: Evidence from the Korean market," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cash savings; Financial constraints; Precautionary motive; Financial crisis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy

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