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Market implied costs of bankruptcy

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  • Reindl, Johann
  • Stoughton, Neal
  • Zechner, Josef

Abstract

This paper takes a novel approach to estimating bankruptcy costs by inference from market prices of equity and put options using a dynamic structural model of capital structure. This approach avoids the selection bias of looking at firms in or near default and therefore permits theories of ex ante capital structure determination to be tested. We identify significant cross sectional variation in bankruptcy costs across industries and relate these to specific firm characteristics. We find that asset volatility and growth options have significant positive impacts, while tangibility and size have negative impacts. Our bankruptcy cost variable estimate significantly negatively impacts leverage ratios. This negative impact is in addition to that of other firm characteristics such as asset intangibility and asset volatility. The results provide strong support for the tradeoff theory of capital structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Reindl, Johann & Stoughton, Neal & Zechner, Josef, 2013. "Market implied costs of bankruptcy," CFS Working Paper Series 2013/27, Center for Financial Studies (CFS).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:cfswop:201327
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Wenlang Zhang & Gaofeng Han & Brian Ng & Steven Chan, 2015. "Corporate Leverage in China: Why has It Increased Fast in Recent Years and Where do the Risks Lie?," Working Papers 102015, Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research.
    3. Keefe, Michael O'Connor & Yaghoubi, Mona, 2016. "The influence of cash flow volatility on capital structure and the use of debt of different maturities," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 18-36.
    4. Hans Degryse & Vasso Ioannidou & José María Liberti & Jason Sturgess, 2020. "How Do Laws and Institutions Affect Recovery Rates for Collateral?," The Review of Corporate Finance Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 9(1), pages 1-43.

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