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Macroeconomic conditions and investment stimuli

Author

Listed:
  • Tan, Yingxian
  • Pan, Zhihao
  • Wang, Rui
  • Wen, Chunhui

Abstract

Based on a calibrated real options model, this paper examines a tax-subsidy program offered by a government to stimulate corporate investment under business cycles. We derive and discuss optimal incentive policies for different states of the economy. We find that it is optimal for the government to offer a combination of tax cuts and lump-sum subsidy for stimulating levered firms’ investment under business cycles. Furthermore, the government should adopt counter-cyclical tax-subsidy policy, namely a higher (lower) tax cuts and a larger (smaller) lump-sum subsidy during recessions (booms). In particular, we provide a possible explanation why many governments around the world have reduced and even implemented negative interest rates to stimulate the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Finally, our conclusions also predict that the break-even tax-subsidy program always provides effective investment stimulus under business cycles.

Suggested Citation

  • Tan, Yingxian & Pan, Zhihao & Wang, Rui & Wen, Chunhui, 2023. "Macroeconomic conditions and investment stimuli," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:67:y:2023:i:c:s1062940823000396
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2023.101916
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Real options; Tax reduction; Investment subsidy; Business cycles; Investment stimuli;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G33 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Bankruptcy; Liquidation

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