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Growth options effect on leverage: Evidence from China

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  • Lin, Qi

Abstract

Using the market-to-book assets (MB) ratio and its inverse exponential transformation as proxies for growth options, we find that the growth options effect on leverage is negative and highly convex in China, consistent with the U.S. evidence from Ogden and Wu (2013). Of particular importance, using a nonlinear transformed rather than a linear MB ratio yields stronger explanatory power for the growth options effect on leverage in tests of both static and dynamic trade-off theories. Moreover, we show that the growth options effect on leverage is stronger among firms characterized by wider divergence between control rights and cash-flow rights of the largest ultimate owner and firms that face more severe financial constraints.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Qi, 2015. "Growth options effect on leverage: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 152-168.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:34:y:2015:i:c:p:152-168
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2015.07.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Growth options effect on leverage; Trade-off theory; Market-to-book assets ratio; Ownership structure; Financial constraints;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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