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What are the causes of the growing trend of excess savings of the corporate sector in developed countries ? an empirical analysis of three hypotheses

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  • Brufman, Leandro
  • Martinez, Lisana
  • Artica, Rodrigo Perez

Abstract

This paper analyzes annual accounting data for a sample of 5,000 publicly traded manufacturing firms from Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The analysis uses data from 1997 to 2011 and finds an increasing trend of excess savings (defined as the difference between gross saving and capital formation) and a gradual decline of gross capital formation. This trend is accompanied by a steady deleveraging process and a decrease in the share of operating assets in total assets. This process is more acute among the more credit constrained, the more volatile, and the less dynamic firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Brufman, Leandro & Martinez, Lisana & Artica, Rodrigo Perez, 2013. "What are the causes of the growing trend of excess savings of the corporate sector in developed countries ? an empirical analysis of three hypotheses," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6571, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6571
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shin-ichi Fukuda, 2018. "Companies’ Financial Surpluses and Cash/Deposit Holdings," Public Policy Review, Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Finance Japan, vol. 14(3), pages 369-396, July.
    2. Tatiana Cesaroni & Riccardo De Bonis & Luigi Infante, 2017. "On the determinants of firms’ financial surpluses and deficits," IFC Bulletins chapters, in: Bank for International Settlements (ed.), Statistical implications of the new financial landscape, volume 43, Bank for International Settlements.
    3. Jun-ichi Nakamura, 2018. "Corporate Financial Surpluses and Allocation of Internal Cash Flow in Japan: Microdata Analysis by Enterprise Size Based on Financial Statements Statistics of Corporations by Industry," Public Policy Review, Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Finance Japan, vol. 14(3), pages 397-432, July.

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