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Last resort gambles, risky debt and liquidation policy

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  • Elettra Agliardi
  • Rainer Andergassen

Abstract

This paper develops a real option model in which the interaction between debt, liquidation policy and risky investments is studied. We consider a manager who owns the firm and faces the opportunity to invest in risky projects which may boost current profits at the cost of bankruptcy if they turn out to be unsuccessful. These investments are “last resort gambles” in the sense that, if successful, they save the company from insolvency, while, if unsuccessful, they make liquidation unavoidable. It is shown that last resort gambles delay liquidation. We study how the liquidation trigger and the last resort investment decisions are affected by the firm's capital structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Elettra Agliardi & Rainer Andergassen, 2009. "Last resort gambles, risky debt and liquidation policy," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), pages 142-155, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:revfec:v:18:y:2009:i:3:p:142-155
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rfe.2009.04.001
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance
    • 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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