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Sarbanes-Oxley Act and corporate credit spreads

Author

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  • Nejadmalayeri, Ali
  • Nishikawa, Takeshi
  • Rao, Ramesh P.

Abstract

Stock market reaction suggests that despite improved disclosure and increased accountability, Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is too costly and not beneficial. Noting that bondholders are likely to reap the many potential benefits of SOX without bearing the brunt of costs, we examine how SOX affected corporate credit spreads to better assess its benefits. SOX has led to a significant structural decline in spreads of at least 27 basis points. Riskier firms (low rating, long maturity, high leverage, and small size) and firms closely related to SOX major provisions (earning variability, managerial trading, and corporate governance) experience greater declines in spreads.

Suggested Citation

  • Nejadmalayeri, Ali & Nishikawa, Takeshi & Rao, Ramesh P., 2013. "Sarbanes-Oxley Act and corporate credit spreads," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(8), pages 2991-3006.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:37:y:2013:i:8:p:2991-3006
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2013.04.013
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    Cited by:

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    2. Fu, Renhui & Gao, Fang & Kim, Yong H. & Qiu, Buhui, 2017. "Performance volatility, information availability, and disclosure reforms," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 35-52.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Sarbanes-Oxley Act; Corporate bonds; Credit spreads;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing

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