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Investor Demand for Leverage: Evidence from Equity Closed-End Funds

Author

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  • Robert Dam
  • Shaun William Davies
  • S Katie Moon

Abstract

We provide evidence that investors with leverage constraints demand leverage for the sake of leverage. We study the equity closed-end fund (CEF) market and document a strong positive relation between fund leverage and CEF premiums, indicating that investors pay a relative premium for leverage. We perform a quasi-natural experiment and identify leverage as a causal driver of the premium. Leverage changes do not signal improved fund performance. Instead, the only benefit to investors of increased leverage is amplified exposure via greater volatility and risk exposure. We supply external validity by relating our results to the betting-against-beta factor. (JEL G12, G14, G32)

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Dam & Shaun William Davies & S Katie Moon, 2024. "Investor Demand for Leverage: Evidence from Equity Closed-End Funds," The Review of Asset Pricing Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 14(1), pages 1-39.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:rasset:v:14:y:2024:i:1:p:1-39.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/rapstu/raad012
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • 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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