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The corporate equity puzzle

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  • Brutscher, Philipp-Bastian
  • Hols, Christopher

Abstract

Why don't non-financial companies in Europe issue more equity? Using experimental data on firms from Europe, this paper analyses how firms trade-off between debt and external equity financing. It finds that firms are willing to pay a substantial premium on debt when presented with an equity participation as an alternative. Companies are willing to pay an interest rate that is about 8.8pp higher than the cost of equity to obtain a loan instead of external equity. This preference for debt can be explained only partially by the more favourable tax treatment of debt, fear of loss of corporate control and positive growth expectations. This paper discusses what else may explain this striking aspect of firm behaviour in the EU.

Suggested Citation

  • Brutscher, Philipp-Bastian & Hols, Christopher, 2018. "The corporate equity puzzle," EIB Working Papers 2018/03, European Investment Bank (EIB).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:eibwps:201803
    DOI: 10.2867/878383
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gossé Jean-Baptiste & Hermet Émilie & Mourjane Anass & Dufouleur Mathilde, 2020. "Developing the Capital Markets Union to mobilise savings and stimulate investment in Europe [Développer l’Union des marchés de capitaux pour mobiliser l’épargne et stimuler l’investissement en Euro," Bulletin de la Banque de France, Banque de France, issue 231.
    2. Lannoo, Karel & Thomadakis, Apostolos, 2019. "Rebranding Capital Markets Union: A market finance action plan," ECMI Papers 500, Centre for European Policy Studies.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capital structure choice; debt premium; behavioural finance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • G40 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - General

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