How Does Financing Impact Investment? The Role of Debt Covenants

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Finance
Year: 2008
Volume: 63
Issue: 5
Pages: 2085-2121

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

We identify a specific channel (debt covenants) and the corresponding mechanism (transfer of control rights) through which financing frictions impact corporate investment. Using a regression discontinuity design, we show that capital investment declines sharply following a financial covenant violation, when creditors use the threat of accelerating the loan to intervene in management. Further, the reduction in investment is concentrated in situations in which agency and information problems are relatively more severe, highlighting how the state‐contingent allocation of control rights can help mitigate investment distortions arising from financing frictions.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:jfinan:v:63:y:2008:i:5:p:2085-2121
Journal Field
Finance
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25