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Bankruptcy Resolution: Misery or Strategy

Author

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  • Jairaj Gupta
  • Mariachiara Barzotto
  • André Aroldo Freitas De Moura

Abstract

Contrary to conventional wisdom, this study reports a positive relationship between large US firms' leverage levels and their likelihood of emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In anticipation of a favourable court outcome, which allows them to emerge from bankruptcy with reduced debt, firms tend to increase their leverage levels in the years preceding the bankruptcy filing year. This suggests strategic abuse of bankruptcy courts and creditors. Test results suggest that firms start acting strategically up to four years before filing for bankruptcy so that they can emerge with a reduced debt burden at the cost of creditors. Additionally, our study also contributes to the corporate bankruptcy literature by exploring a set of factors (related to the firm, judicial, case, geographic, and macroeconomic characteristics) explaining the likelihood of firms emerging from bankruptcy, and proposing a parsimonious multivariate model that best predicts the likelihood of surviving Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jairaj Gupta & Mariachiara Barzotto & André Aroldo Freitas De Moura, 2024. "Bankruptcy Resolution: Misery or Strategy," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 60(3), pages 665-708, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:abacus:v:60:y:2024:i:3:p:665-708
    DOI: 10.1111/abac.12311
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