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Optimal capital structure with supplier market power

Author

Listed:
  • Xue Cui
  • Sudipto Sarkar
  • Chuanqian Zhang

Abstract

We use a real‐option model to study the effect of input supplier's market power on a firm's capital structure, and identify the Nash equilibrium outcome (firm's investment and financing policies and its supplier's pricing policy). When its supplier has market power, the firm will reduce leverage ratio and delay investment. This can help explain why observed leverage ratios are lower than in traditional capital‐structure models (without supplier market power). Firm value can be increased by the vertical acquisition of the supplier, which would also result in a higher leverage ratio. This helps explain the observed increase in leverage ratios after acquisitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Xue Cui & Sudipto Sarkar & Chuanqian Zhang, 2024. "Optimal capital structure with supplier market power," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 64(2), pages 1805-1825, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:64:y:2024:i:2:p:1805-1825
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.13200
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    References listed on IDEAS

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