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A Trade-off Theory of Ownership and Capital Structure

Author

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  • Giovanna Nicodano

    (Department of Economics and Statistics (Dipartimento di Scienze Economico-Sociali e Matematico-Statistiche), University of Torino, Italy)

  • Luca Regis

    (Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Siena, Italy)

Abstract

This paper determines the optimal ownership share held by a unit into a second unit, when both face a tax-bankruptcy trade-off. Full ownership is optimal when the first unit has positive debt, because dividends help avoid its default. Positive debt is, in turn, optimal when its corporate tax rate exceeds a threshold; and/or Thin Capitalization Rules place an upper limit on the debt level in the second unit, and/or the Volcker Rule bans bailout transfers to the second unit. Full ownership is no longer optimal only if there is a tax on intercorporate dividend. This theory rationalizes observations on multinationals, financial conglomerates and family groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanna Nicodano & Luca Regis, 2017. "A Trade-off Theory of Ownership and Capital Structure," Working papers 045, Department of Economics and Statistics (Dipartimento di Scienze Economico-Sociali e Matematico-Statistiche), University of Torino.
    • Handle: RePEc:tur:wpapnw:045
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    2. Li, Shuangyan & Fu, Huan & Wen, Jun & Chang, Chun-Ping, 2020. "Separation of ownership and control for Chinese listed firms: Effect on the cost of debt and the moderating role of bank competition," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    3. Hossain, Mohammed Sawkat, 2021. "A revisit of capital structure puzzle: Global evidence and analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 657-678.
    4. Albert Danso & Samuel Fosu & Samuel Owusu‐Agyei & Collins G. Ntim & Emmanuel Adegbite, 2021. "Capital structure revisited. Do crisis and competition matter in a Keiretsu corporate structure?," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(4), pages 5073-5092, October.
    5. Michela Altieri & Giovanna Nicodano, 2020. "Survival and Pricing Puzzles," Carlo Alberto Notebooks 604, Collegio Carlo Alberto.
    6. Venkata Mrudula Bhimavarapu & Shailesh Rastogi & Jagjeevan Kanoujiya & Aashi Rawal, 2023. "Repercussion of financial distress and corporate disclosure on the valuation of non-financial firms in India," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Loranth, Gyongyi & Segura, Anatoli & Zeng, Jing, 2022. "Voluntary Support and Ring-Fencing in Cross-border Banks," Working Paper Series 2688, European Central Bank.
    8. Maria Boutchkova & Diego Cueto & Angelica Gonzalez, 2022. "Test power properties of within-firm estimators of ownership and board-related explanatory variables with low time variation," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 59(3), pages 1215-1269, October.

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    Keywords

    Ownership; Leverage; Taxes; Thin Capitalization; groups; multinationals.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm

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