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The effect of bond ownership structure on ESG performance

Author

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  • Lee, Hye Seung
  • Salas, Jesus M.
  • Shen, Ke
  • Yang, Ke

Abstract

We examine whether firms' ESG performance is influenced by bondholder preferences. We argue that insurance companies have unique incentives to monitor bond issuers' ESG performance because insurers face enhanced exposures to ESG shocks in their balance sheets and trading operations. Consistent with this argument, we find that firms with higher bond ownership by insurance companies are associated with higher future ESG ratings. To address potential identification concerns, we test changes in bond issuers' ESG ratings following the initial bond investment by insurance companies. We find that firms' ESG performance improves after insurance companies' initial bond investment. We also find that this improvement in ESG performance is concentrated in firms with greater reliance on bond financing and investment capital from insurance companies. Our study underscores the importance of bond ownership structure in influencing corporate ESG performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Hye Seung & Salas, Jesus M. & Shen, Ke & Yang, Ke, 2024. "The effect of bond ownership structure on ESG performance," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:89:y:2024:i:c:s0929119924001408
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2024.102678
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate social responsibility; ESG; Bond ownership; Insurance companies; Credit ratings;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G2 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • 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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