Why Did the Investment–Cash Flow Sensitivity Decline over Time?

Zhen Wang and Chu Zhang

Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 2021, vol. 56, issue 6, 2272-2308

Abstract: We propose an explanation for why corporate investment used to be sensitive to cash flow and why the sensitivity declined over time. The sensitivity stems from the informational role of cash flow in inferring the productivity of tangible capital in the old economy. Over time, however, more new-economy firms enter the market. These firms have reduced tangible capital productivity and reduced cash-flow predictability, which drives the decline in the average investment–cash flow sensitivity. Theoretical and empirical analyses support this explanation.

Date: 2021
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