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Signaling effect of cash holdings adjustment before bond issuance

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  • Lee, Chien-Chiang
  • Wang, Chih-Wei
  • Xu, Zhi-Ting

Abstract

Using Fixed Income Securities Database bond issuance data, we examine how firms' cash holding adjustment exhibits a signaling effect prior to corporate bond issuance; we also examine the meaning of this effect on firms' capital policy. Analyzing a sample of U.S. bonds from 1981 to 2018, the results found that bond issuers adjust their cash holdings higher prior to bond issuance compared to non-issuer firms. After controlling for various firm and bond characteristics, we found that firms that adjust their cash holdings higher attract investors' attention, thus resulting in lower bond spreads. Our results also perform different patterns in subsamples when adopting accrued and real earnings management, financial constraints, and corporate opacity.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Chih-Wei & Xu, Zhi-Ting, 2023. "Signaling effect of cash holdings adjustment before bond issuance," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:85:y:2023:i:c:s1057521922004203
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2022.102470
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cash holdings; Bond issuance; Bond spread; Accrued earnings management; Real earnings management;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • 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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