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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 39 No. 1 1995

Liquidation costs and capital structure

Michael J. Alderson1; Brian L. Betker2,3

1 Saint Louis University · 2 The Ohio State University · 3 Fisher College

Abstract

We investigate the relation between liquidation costs of assets and composition of capital structure for firms that reorganized under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Firms with high liquidation costs emerge from Chapter 11 with relatively low debt ratios. The debt of these firms is more likely to be public and unsecured, and to have less restrictive covenant terms; these firms are also more likely to raise new equity capital. Assets with high liquidation costs thus lead firms to choose capital structures that make financial distress less likely.

DOI
10.1016/0304-405x(94)00825-l
Volume
39
Issue
1
Pages
45-69
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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