Debt overhang, global growth opportunities, and investment

Francesca Barbiero, Alexander Popov and Marcin Wolski

Journal of Banking & Finance, 2020, vol. 120, issue C

Abstract: Using a pan-European data set of 8.5 million firms, we find that firms with high debt financing invest relatively more, than otherwise similar firms, if they are operating in sectors facing good global growth opportunities. The positive impact of a marginal increase in debt on investment in good-global-growth-opportunities sectors disappears if firm debt is already excessive, if it is dominated by short maturities, and during systemic banking crises. Our results are consistent with theories of the disciplining role of debt, as well as with models highlighting the negative link between firm- and bank-related agency problems and corporate investment.

Keywords: Debt overhang; Global growth opportunities; Investment; Banking crises (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E22 E44 G21 H63 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:120:y:2020:i:c:s0378426620302120

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2020.105950

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