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A structural model with Explicit Distress

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  • Correia, Ricardo
  • Población, Javier

Abstract

We construct a model for valuing firms and corporate securities incorporating economic and financial distress. The inclusion of financial distress costs is able to explain the low debt/zero debt puzzle and to clarify the relation between earnings and financial leverage. With standard parameter values, this model generates more realistic estimates of leverage ratios, credit spreads and recovery rates relative to a standard model of direct costs of bankruptcy. It clarifies the relation between optimal leverage and debt capacity and addresses different structural model problems such as underestimating (overestimating) spreads on safe (risky) bonds and relying on unrealistic high estimates for direct costs of bankruptcy.

Suggested Citation

  • Correia, Ricardo & Población, Javier, 2015. "A structural model with Explicit Distress," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 112-130.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:58:y:2015:i:c:p:112-130
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2015.03.011
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    Cited by:

    1. Nishihara, Michi & Shibata, Takashi, 2018. "Dynamic bankruptcy procedure with asymmetric information between insiders and outsiders," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 118-137.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Structural models; Financial distress; Optimal capital structure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G13 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Contingent Pricing; Futures Pricing
    • 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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