
doi: 10.2139/ssrn.643388
We report results of a new test of the financing of large and indivisible projects - arguably the focus of most capital structure theory. We develop a filter that identifies investment spikes in a large population of firms. Consistent with the pecking-order theory we find that projects are predominantly financed with debt, particularly in large and profitable firms. However, we reject the hypothesis that internal finance plays a major role in funding investment. Consistent with the trade-off theory, firms show a strong tendency to revert back to their initial leverage. This pattern of "pecking order in the short run, trade-off in the long run" is consistent with equity adjustment being postponed until certain thresholds are reached. However, we do not find evidence that equity issues are lumpy or infrequent.
capital structure; corporate finance; pecking order; trade-off theory, jel: jel:G32
capital structure; corporate finance; pecking order; trade-off theory, jel: jel:G32
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 41 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
