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Discussion of “Hedge commitments and agency costs of debt: evidence from interest rate protection covenants and accounting conservatism”

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  • Florin P. Vasvari

    (London Business School)

Abstract

Beatty, Petacchi, and Zhang investigate the role of two hedge commitment mechanisms—interest rate protection covenants and accounting conservatism—in reducing agency costs of debt. Using a large sample of syndicated loan agreements, they provide evidence that borrowers required to hedge interest rate risk through interest rate protection covenants receive lower interest rate charges. However, borrowers who voluntarily hedge interest rate risks receive lower rates only if they implement conservative financial reporting. The authors conclude that the benefits of hedging are realized only when borrowers can credibly commit to maintain hedge positions once a syndicated loan is issued. While the evidence provided by the authors is novel and interesting, I argue that the empirical assessment of hedge benefits is more complex. In addition, there are still some important open issues left unanswered that could be tackled by future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Florin P. Vasvari, 2012. "Discussion of “Hedge commitments and agency costs of debt: evidence from interest rate protection covenants and accounting conservatism”," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 739-748, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:reaccs:v:17:y:2012:i:3:d:10.1007_s11142-012-9196-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11142-012-9196-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rajan, Raghuram G, 1992. "Insiders and Outsiders: The Choice between Informed and Arm's-Length Debt," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 47(4), pages 1367-1400, September.
    2. repec:cup:jfinqa:v:46:y:2011:i:06:p:1727-1754_00 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Beatty, Anne & Weber, Joseph & Yu, Jeff Jiewei, 2008. "Conservatism and Debt," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(2-3), pages 154-174, August.
    4. Chernenko, Sergey & Faulkender, Michael, 2011. "The Two Sides of Derivatives Usage: Hedging and Speculating with Interest Rate Swaps," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(6), pages 1727-1754, December.
    5. Amir Sufi, 2007. "Information Asymmetry and Financing Arrangements: Evidence from Syndicated Loans," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 62(2), pages 629-668, April.
    6. Ryan Ball & Robert M. Bushman & Florin P. Vasvari, 2008. "The Debt‐Contracting Value of Accounting Information and Loan Syndicate Structure," Journal of Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 46(2), pages 247-287, May.
    7. Beatty, Anne & Ramesh, K. & Weber, Joseph, 2002. "The importance of accounting changes in debt contracts: the cost of flexibility in covenant calculations," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 205-227, June.
    8. Mayers, David & Smith, Clifford W, Jr, 1982. "On the Corporate Demand for Insurance," The Journal of Business, University of Chicago Press, vol. 55(2), pages 281-296, April.
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    JEL classification:

    • M20 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - General
    • M40 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - General
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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