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Optimal Debt Maturity and Firm Investment

Author

Listed:
  • Joachim Jungherr

    (University of Bonn)

  • Immo Schott

    (University of Montreal)

Abstract

We introduce long-term debt and a maturity choice into a dynamic model of production, firm financing, and costly default. Long-term debt saves roll-over costs but increases future leverage and default rates because of a commitment problem. The model generates rich distributions of maturity choices, leverage ratios, and credit spreads across firms. It explains why larger and older firms borrow at longer maturities, have higher leverage, and pay lower credit spreads. Firms' maturity choice matters for policy: A financial reform which increases investment and output in a standard model of short-term debt can have the opposite effect in a model with short-term debt and long-term debt. (Copyright: Elsevier)

Suggested Citation

  • Joachim Jungherr & Immo Schott, 2021. "Optimal Debt Maturity and Firm Investment," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 42, pages 110-132, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:issued:18-411
    DOI: 10.1016/j.red.2020.10.005
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea Ajello & Ander Pérez-Orive & Bálint Szőke, 2023. "Sticky Leverage: Comment," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2023-051, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    2. Andrea Gamba & Alessio Saretto, 2023. "Debt Maturity and Commitment on Firm Policies," Working Papers 2303, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
    3. Joachim Jungherr & Immo Schott, 2022. "Slow Debt, Deep Recessions," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(1), pages 224-259, January.
    4. Deng, Minjie & Fang, Min, 2022. "Debt maturity heterogeneity and investment responses to monetary policy," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firm dynamics; Firm financing; Debt maturity; Default;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • 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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