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Short selling threat and corporate financing decisions

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  • Gong, Rong

Abstract

This paper presents evidence that firms choose conservative financial policies to mitigate firms’ exposure to short selling threat. I exploit changes in the regulation of short selling constraints as an exogenous shock to the short selling threat borne by firms. I find that higher short selling threat leads to decreased corporate leverage, particularly for firms facing greater expected short selling threats, for firms with higher financial distress risks, and for firms whose managers are more risk averse. The findings suggest that short selling threats have a significant impact on corporate financing decisions through changes in the costs of financial distress.

Suggested Citation

  • Gong, Rong, 2020. "Short selling threat and corporate financing decisions," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:118:y:2020:i:c:s0378426620301199
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2020.105853
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    Cited by:

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    4. Do, Hung X. & Nguyen, Nhut H. & Nguyen, Quan M.P., 2022. "Financial leverage and stock return comovement," Journal of Financial Markets, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    5. Xie, Guanghua & Chen, Lin & Chen, Xichan, 2021. "The role of short selling threat in corporate environmental disclosure strategies: Evidence from China," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    6. Srivastava, Pranjal & Jacob, Joshy, 2022. "Arbitrage constraints and behaviour of volatility components: Evidence from a natural experiment," IIMA Working Papers WP 2022-10-01, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
    7. He, Meng & Bai, Xuelian & Zhang, Junrui, 2024. "Does short selling reduce classification shifting?—— Exploration of market-oriented governance mechanism," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    8. Tianyu Cai & Lixiong Guo & Yongxian Tan, 2024. "Short seller monitoring and real earnings management," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 59(1), pages 203-225, February.
    9. Sha, Yezhou & Shah, Syed Ghulam Meran & Sarfraz, Muddassar, 2023. "Short selling and SME irregular CEO succession: Witnessing the moderating role of earnings management," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 163-173.

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