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Journal of Financial Intermediation Vol. 48 2021

Liquidity and price pressure in the corporate bond market: evidence from mega-bonds

Jean Helwege1,2; Liying Wang3

1 University of California, Riverside · 2 National University · 3 University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Abstract

Larger bonds offer greater liquidity, which should reduce their yields. A simple way for firms to reduce financing costs is to sell bonds with large face values. We find that mega-bonds are more liquid than smaller bonds. However, offering yield spreads on mega-bonds are not lower and are higher than spreads of bonds issued by similar companies. The discount applied to large new issues is consistent with price pressure effects that are also present in the secondary market prices of the issuing firm's existing bonds. Our results suggest a hidden cost to issuing very liquid bonds.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfi.2021.100922
Volume
48
Pages
100922
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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