Financial Relationships and the Limits to Arbitrage

B-Tier
Journal: Review of Finance
Year: 2015
Volume: 19
Issue: 6
Pages: 2095-2138

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We propose a model of limited arbitrage based on financial relationships. Financially constrained arbitrageurs may choose to seek additional financing from banks that have the technology to profit from the strategies themselves. A holdup problem arises because banks cannot commit to providing capital. To minimize competition, arbitrageurs will choose to stay constrained and underinvest in the arbitrage unless banks have sufficient reputational capital. This problem arises when mispricing is largest. More competition among financiers, higher arbitrageur wealth, and allowing for explicit contracts can worsen the holdup problem. When arbitrage is risky, financial relationships are more valuable, mitigating the problem.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:revfin:v:19:y:2015:i:6:p:2095-2138.
Journal Field
Finance
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-28