A gap-filling theory of corporate debt maturity choice
By: Robin Greenwood, Samuel Hanson, Jeremy C. Stein.
Contributors: Hanson, Samuel; Stein, Jeremy C.; National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 14087; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 14087.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Description: "We argue that time-series variation in the maturity of aggregate corporate debt issues arises because firms behave as macro liquidity providers, absorbing the large supply shocks associated with changes in the maturity structure of government debt.  We document that when the government funds itself with relatively more short-term debt, firms fill the resulting gap by issuing more long-term debt, and vice-versa.  This type of liquidity provision is undertaken more aggressively: i) in periods when the ratio of government debt to total debt is higher; and ii) by firms with stronger balance sheets.  Our theory provides a new perspective on the apparent ability of firms to exploit bond-market return predictability with their financing choices"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 7/14/2008.

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available in print.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.