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The Allocation of Cash Flow by Spanish Firms: New Evidence on the Impact of Financial Frictions

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  • Martin Farias

    (CEMFI, Centro de Estudios Monetarios y Financieros)

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of financial frictions on the allocation of cash flow using administrative data of Spanish non-financial corporations from 2003 to 2019. Employing an analytical framework based on the uses and sources of funds identity, I estimate regression models to examine the allocation of cash flow across its competing uses. My findings reveal that larger financial frictions are, on average, associated with a higher proportion of marginal cash flow allocated to debt repayment and lower proportions allocated to cash savings, investment, and dividend distribution. The analysis also highlights that the effect of financial frictions on the allocation of marginal cash flow varies significantly with variables capturing the economic and financial situation of each firm such as leverage, cash holdings, capital, and the availability of investment opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Farias, 2024. "The Allocation of Cash Flow by Spanish Firms: New Evidence on the Impact of Financial Frictions," Working Papers wp2024_2409, CEMFI.
    • Handle: RePEc:cmf:wpaper:wp2024_2409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial frictions; cash flow; investment; dividends; debt; cash savings.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy

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