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Who Pays a Visit to Brussels? The Firm Value of Cross-Border Political Access to European Commissioners

Author

Listed:
  • Biguri, Kizkitza
  • Stahl, Jörg R.

Abstract

We present novel evidence on the value of cross-border political access. We analyze data on meetings of US multinational enterprises (MNEs) with European Commission (EC) policymakers. Meetings with Commissioners are associated with positive abnormal equity returns. We study channels of value creation through political access in the areas of regulation and taxation. US enterprises with EC meetings are more likely to receive favorable outcomes in their European merger decisions and have lower effective tax rates on foreign income than their peers without meetings. Our results suggest that access to foreign policymakers is of substantial value for MNEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Biguri, Kizkitza & Stahl, Jörg R., 2020. "Who Pays a Visit to Brussels? The Firm Value of Cross-Border Political Access to European Commissioners," LawFin Working Paper Series 9, Goethe University, Center for Advanced Studies on the Foundations of Law and Finance (LawFin).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:lawfin:9
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3339871
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Colin P. Green & Swarnodeep Homroy, 2022. "Incorporated in Westminster: Channels and Returns to Political Connection in the United Kingdom," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 89(354), pages 377-408, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cross-border political access; European Commission; firm value;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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