Stress Testing U.S. Leveraged Corporates in a COVID-19 World

Carlos Caceres, Diego Cerdeiro, Dan Pan and Suchanan Tambunlertchai

No 2020/238, IMF Working Papers from International Monetary Fund

Abstract: This paper analyzes a group of 755 firms, with aggregate indebtedness of US$6.2 trillion, to assess the solvency risks and liquidity needs facing the U.S. corporate sector based on projections of net income, availability and cost of funding, and debt servicing flows under different stress test scenarios. The paper finds that leveraged corporates account for most of the potential losses arising from the macroeconomic stresses associated with the COVID-19 crisis, with a concentration of these losses in the oil and gas, auto, and capital and durable goods manufacturing sectors. However, potential losses from corporate debt write-downs appear to be a fraction of banks’ capital buffers and, given the size of the leveraged segment and the relatively long duration of that sector’s debt, the near-term liquidity needs of these corporates appear modest. Corporate stresses could, however, amplify the current economic downturn—as firms cut investment spending and reduce employment—potentially giving rise to significant indirect losses for the financial system.

Keywords: corporate; firm value; leverage; solvency; liquidity.; WP; cash inflow; equity position metrics; liquidity need; need Lt; net equity position; stress testing; liquidity; leverage ratio; revenue flow; revenue-to-assets ratio; rollover needs; amortization profile; maturing bond debt; maturing debt; Stocks; Corporate sector; Currencies; Loans; Global (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 43
Date: 2020-11-13
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