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The financial value of the within-government political network: Evidence from Chinese municipal corporate bonds

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  • Jaehyuk Choi
  • Lei Lu
  • Heungju Park
  • Sungbin Sohn

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of the political network of Chinese municipal leaders on the pricing of municipal corporate bonds. Using municipal leaders' working experience to measure the political network, we find that this network reduces the bond issuance yield spreads by improving the credit ratings of the issuer, the local government financing vehicle. The relationship between political networks and issuance yield spreads is strengthened in areas where financial markets and legal systems are less developed.

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  • Jaehyuk Choi & Lei Lu & Heungju Park & Sungbin Sohn, 2022. "The financial value of the within-government political network: Evidence from Chinese municipal corporate bonds," Papers 2201.01160, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2201.01160
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ren, Zhaoyue & Xiong, Yang & Huang, Yongjian, 2024. "Local officials’ sentiment and government financing cost: Evidence from Chengtou bonds in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • H74 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Borrowing

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