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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 50 2018

Asset tangibility, cash holdings, and financial development

Jin Lei1; Jiaping Qiu2; Chi Wan3

1 Brock University · 2 McMaster University · 3 University of Massachusetts Boston

Abstract

Rising intangible assets on corporate balance sheets around the world could limit borrowing capacity and consequently hinder growth if firms must preserve cash and forgo investment opportunities. We show that financial development lowers the sensitivity of cash holdings to tangible assets and promotes firm growth. We also find that sectors with a smaller proportion of tangible assets grow faster in countries with more developed financial markets. Our analysis reveals an important asset tangibility channel through which financial development facilitates firm growth.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2018.03.008
Volume
50
Pages
223-242
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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