The effect of CEO power on bond ratings and yields

Yixin Liu and Pornsit Jiraporn

Journal of Empirical Finance, 2010, vol. 17, issue 4, 744-762

Abstract: We argue that executives can affect firm outcomes only if they have influence over crucial decisions. This study explores the impact of CEO power or CEO dominance on bond ratings and yield spreads. We find that credit ratings are lower and yield spreads higher for firms whose CEOs have more decision-making power. To further investigate why bondholders are concerned about CEO power, we show that powerful CEOs tend to maintain an opaque information environment. Bondholders demand higher yields because it is difficult for them to monitor managers in firms with powerful CEOs. Taken together, the results suggest that bondholders perceive CEO power as a critical determinant of the cost of bond financing.

Keywords: CEO; power; Cost; of; bond; financing; Agency; theory; Bondholders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (89)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:empfin:v:17:y:2010:i:4:p:744-762

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