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Optimal Debt and Profitability in the Trade†Off Theory

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  • ANDREW B. ABEL

Abstract

I develop a dynamic model of leverage with tax deductible interest and an endogenous cost of default. The interest rate includes a premium to compensate lenders for expected losses in default. A borrowing constraint is generated by lenders' unwillingness to lend an amount that would trigger immediate default. When the borrowing constraint is not binding, the trade†off theory of debt holds: optimal debt equates the marginal interest tax shield and the marginal expected cost of default. Contrary to conventional interpretation, but consistent with empirical findings, increases in current or future profitability reduce the optimal leverage ratio when the trade†off theory holds.

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  • Andrew B. Abel, 2018. "Optimal Debt and Profitability in the Trade†Off Theory," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 73(1), pages 95-143, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jfinan:v:73:y:2018:i:1:p:95-143
    DOI: 10.1111/jofi.12590
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    Cited by:

    1. Didik Susilo & Sugeng Wahyudi & Irene Rini Demi Pangestuti, 2020. "Profitability Determinants of Manufacturing Firms in Indonesia," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(2), pages 53-64.
    2. Patrick Bolton & Ye Li & Neng Wang & Jinqiang Yang, 2020. "Dynamic Banking and the Value of Deposits," NBER Working Papers 28298, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Serhiy Zabolotnyy & Mirosław Wasilewski, 2019. "The Concept of Financial Sustainability Measurement: A Case of Food Companies from Northern Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Raffaele Miniaci & Paolo Panteghini, 2021. "On the Capital Structure of Foreign Subsidiaries: Evidence from a Panel Data Quantile Regression Model," CESifo Working Paper Series 9085, CESifo.
    5. Banal Estanol, Albert & Siciliani, Paolo & Yoon, Kyoungsoo, 2022. "Competition, profitability and financial leverage," Bank of England working papers 962, Bank of England.
    6. Hafezali Iqbal Hussain & Janusz Grabara & Mohd Shahril Ahmad Razimi & Saeed Pahlevan Sharif, 2019. "Sustainability of Leverage Levels in Response to Shocks in Equity Prices: Islamic Finance as a Socially Responsible Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, June.

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