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Debt financing in private and public firms

Author

Listed:
  • Kim P. Huynh

    (Bank of Canada)

  • Teodora Paligorova

    (Federal Reserve Board)

  • Robert Petrunia

    (Lakehead University)

Abstract

Using administrative confidential data on the universe of Canadian corporate firms, we compare debt financing choices of private and public firms. Private firms have higher leverage ratios, which are entirely driven by private firms’ stronger reliance on short-term debt. Further, private firms rely more of leverage during economic expansions, while public firms rely on equity financing. Specifically, private firms manage to increase their long-term debt during expansions, while short-term debt is used during downturns. Our findings have implications for a better understanding of the role of asymmetric information in private firms’ capital structure decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim P. Huynh & Teodora Paligorova & Robert Petrunia, 2018. "Debt financing in private and public firms," Annals of Finance, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 465-487, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:annfin:v:14:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s10436-018-0323-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10436-018-0323-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dario Salerno, 2021. "The Impact of Initial Public Offerings on Firms’ Performance: Disentangling Treatment from Self-Selection Effects," Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 11(4), pages 1-1.
    2. Ana Venâncio & João Jorge, 2022. "The role of accelerator programmes on the capital structure of start-ups," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(3), pages 1143-1167, October.
    3. Dao, Mai Chi & Minoiu, Camelia & Ostry, Jonathan D., 2021. "Corporate investment and the real exchange rate," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    4. Kalemli-Özcan, Sebnem, 2018. "Leverage over the Life Cycle and Implications for Firm Growth and Shock Responsiveness," CEPR Discussion Papers 13337, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Emin Dinlersoz & Sebnem Kalemli-Ozcan & Henry Hyatt & Veronika Penciakova, 2018. "Leverage over the Life Cycle and Implications for Firm Growth and Shock Responsiveness," NBER Working Papers 25226, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. Emin M. Dinlersoz & Henry Hyatt & Ṣebnem Kalemli-Özcan & Veronika Penciakova, 2019. "Leverage over the Firm Life Cycle, Firm Growth, and Aggregate Fluctuations," FRB Atlanta Working Paper 2019-18, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capital structure; Private firms; Leverage;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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