Capital Structure and Entry Deterrence with Multiple Incumbents

Abstract This paper uses a two-stage Cournot duopoly model with demand uncertainly to examine the strategic role debt plays in deterring a company from entering when a potential entrant can enter one of several markets. We show that as the number of alternative markets available for entry rises, the incumbents' incentive to use debt as a deterrent falls. Thus, a potential entrant will prefer to have a larger number of alternative markets to enter in order to lower the incumbents' incentive to take strategic actions against it.