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Risk, ambiguity, and the exercise of employee stock options

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  • Izhakian, Yehuda
  • Yermack, David

Abstract

We investigate the importance of ambiguity, or Knightian uncertainty, in executives’ stock option exercise decisions. We develop an empirical estimate of ambiguity and include it in regression models alongside the traditional measure of risk, equity volatility. We show that each variable has a significant effect on the timing of option exercises, with volatility causing executives to hold options longer to preserve option value, and ambiguity increasing the tendency for executives to exercise early.

Suggested Citation

  • Izhakian, Yehuda & Yermack, David, 2017. "Risk, ambiguity, and the exercise of employee stock options," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(1), pages 65-85.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfinec:v:124:y:2017:i:1:p:65-85
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2016.12.006
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    3. Kim, Hwa-Sung, 2021. "Risk management and optimal capital structure under ambiguity," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
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    5. Fu, Ruonan & Melenberg, Bertrand & Schweizer, Nikolaus, 2023. "Comment on “A theoretical foundation of ambiguity measurement” [J. Econ. Theory 187 (2020) 105001]," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
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    7. Yehuda Izhakian & David Yermack & Jaime F. Zender, 2022. "Ambiguity and the Tradeoff Theory of Capital Structure," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 68(6), pages 4090-4111, June.
    8. Ben-Rephael, Azi & Cookson, J. Anthony & izhakian, yehuda, 2022. "Do I Really Want to Hear The News? Public Information Arrival and Investor Beliefs," SocArXiv ud7yw, Center for Open Science.
    9. Marco Nieddu & Lorenzo Pandolfi, 2018. "Cutting Through the Fog: Financial Literacy and the Subjective Value of Financial Assets," CSEF Working Papers 497, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
    10. Chen, Qiang & Han, Yu, 2023. "Options market ambiguity and its information content," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    11. Driouchi, Tarik & So, Raymond H.Y. & Trigeorgis, Lenos, 2020. "Investor ambiguity, systemic banking risk and economic activity: The case of too-big-to-fail," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ambiguity measurement; Ambiguity aversion; Employee stock options;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C65 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Miscellaneous Mathematical Tools
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • 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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