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The signaling role of trade credit: Evidence from a counterfactual analysis

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  • Arca, Pasqualina
  • Atzeni, Gianfranco
  • Deidda, Luca

Abstract

We quantify the signaling effect of trade credit on bank credit in a sample of US firms. Our identification strategy relies on the signaling model by Biais and Gollier (1997) and accounts for the endogeneity due to the possibility of self-selection and the simultaneity between banks’ and firms’ credit decisions. We find that: (i) firms’ self-select into trade credit; (ii) firms’ decision to use trade credit results in a higher chance of obtaining bank credit and a lower cost than the counterfactual ones they would have faced if not using trade credit.

Suggested Citation

  • Arca, Pasqualina & Atzeni, Gianfranco & Deidda, Luca, 2023. "The signaling role of trade credit: Evidence from a counterfactual analysis," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:80:y:2023:i:c:s0929119923000639
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2023.102414
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade credit; Asymmetric information; Counterfactual; Signaling; Bank credit; Cost of credit; Endogenous switching regression;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • 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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