Firm Policies and Uncertainty About Risk

Adam Harper, Yilun Lu () and Sumit Tembhurne
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Adam Harper: Department of Economics, Finance and Real Estate, College of Business, University of South Alabama, 5811 USA Drive South, Mobile, AL 36688, USA
Yilun Lu: Department of Finance and Real Estate, College of Business, University of Texas at Arlington, 701 S W St, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
Sumit Tembhurne: Department of Finance and Real Estate, College of Business, University of Texas at Arlington, 701 S W St, Arlington, TX 76010, USA

JRFM, 2025, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: This study examines how firm-specific financial policies and external factors influence the volatility of implied volatility (VOV), a measure of uncertainty about future risks. Using a sample of 6023 firms from January 2000 to December 2022, we derive VOV measures from IvyDB OptionMetrics and employ high-dynamic fixed-effect (HDFE) regressions to analyze the relationship between corporate debt ratios, working capital financing policies (WCFPs), and investor sentiment. Our findings reveal that aggressive debt policies increase VOV, while moderate WCFPs generate the highest uncertainty, indicating investor ambiguity regarding indecisive strategies. Additionally, high sentiment amplifies the effect of debt ratios on VOV, whereas moderate sentiment drives the influence of WCFPs. Industry dynamics, particularly in sectors like finance and manufacturing, further contribute to variations in VOV.

Keywords: debt policy; working capital; risk uncertainty; sentiment; corporate finance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C E F2 F3 G (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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