How does owners' exposure to idiosyncratic risk influence the capital structure of private companies?

Elisabeth Mueller

Journal of Empirical Finance, 2008, vol. 15, issue 2, 185-198

Abstract: This paper identifies the owner's exposure to idiosyncratic risk as an important determinant of the demand for loans and the capital structure of private companies. The analysis is based on a sample of small and medium-sized companies from the United States. The exposure to idiosyncratic risk is approximated by the share of personal net worth invested in one company (SNWI). Exposure to idiosyncratic risk increases the cost of equity capital, since higher equity returns are required as compensation. This therefore makes bank financing more attractive. We find that SNWI increases both the demand for new bank loans and leverage substantially.

Date: 2008
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Related works:
Working Paper: How does owners' exposure to idiosyncratic risk influence the capital structure of private companies? (2007)
Working Paper: How Does Owners' Exposure to Idiosyncratic Risk Influence the Capital Structure of Private Companies? (2006)
Working Paper: How Does Owners' Exposure to Idiosyncratic Risk Influence the Capital Structure of Private Companies? (2005)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:empfin:v:15:y:2008:i:2:p:185-198

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