An examination of the relation between takeovers and stock price volatility. The analysis focuses on the Martingale (efficient markets) Model of stock price behavior and an alternative view in which stock prices reflect values to participants in a market for corporate control. This paper...

Most loan repayment agreements are largely noncontingent, and yet standard economic theory predicts that they should be highly contingent. An explanation is offered that relies on imperfect information and collateral. The theory suggests that perhaps all debt contracts are implicitly collateralized.