The static tradeoff theory of capital structure predicts that firms aim to approach a target debt ratio. The theory provides several firm characteristics that determine this target ratio. In contrast, the pecking order model rejects a target debt ratio, because firms are expected to finance...

Convertible arbitrageurs combine long positions in convertibles with short positions in the underlying stock. We exploit worldwide differences in short-sale constraints to examine whether convertible arbitrage short selling creates downward pressure on convertible issuers' stock prices. Using a...

This paper tests the static tradeoff theory against the pecking order theory. We focus on an important difference in prediction: the static tradeoff theory argues that a firm increases leverage until it reaches its target debt ratio, while the pecking order yields debt issuance until the debt...