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Determinants of Financial Conservatism: Evidence from Low-Leverage and Cash-Rich UK Firms

Author

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  • Alfonsina Iona
  • Leone Leonida
  • Aydin Ozkan

Abstract

This paper investigates the characteristics of firms that adopt persistent policies of low leverage and substantial cash reserves. In doing so, specific attention is paid to the role of internal corporate governance mechanisms in influencing firms' conservative financial policies. The analysis of this paper classifies firms as financially conservative if they adopt both low-leverage and high-cash policies at the same time. Using a large sample of non-financial UK firms over the period 1984-2001, we provide evidence that conservative firms tend to undershoot (overshoot) their target leverage (cash holdings) levels. Our results also suggest that managerial ownership, board composition and, to some extent, ownership concentration are important determinants of the probability of firms adopting conservative financial policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfonsina Iona & Leone Leonida & Aydin Ozkan, "undated". "Determinants of Financial Conservatism: Evidence from Low-Leverage and Cash-Rich UK Firms," Discussion Papers 04/01, Department of Economics, University of York.
    • Handle: RePEc:yor:yorken:04/01
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    2. Ramachandran Azhagaiah & Selvaraj Sathia, 2012. "Corporate Leverage and Financial Decision in the Indian Textile Industry," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 10(1 (Spring), pages 87-114.
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    4. Christopher F. Baum & Dorothea Schäfer & Oleksandr Talavera, 2006. "The Effects of Industry-Level Uncertainty on Cash Holdings: The Case of Germany," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 638, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    5. Dang, Viet Anh, 2013. "An empirical analysis of zero-leverage firms: New evidence from the UK," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 189-202.
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    7. Dobetz, Wolfgang & Grüninger, Matthias C., 2006. "Corporate cash holdings: Evidence from a different institutional setting," Working papers 2006/06, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial conservatism; leverage; cash holdings; ownership structure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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