A measurement error in beta that arises from changes in leverage during the beta estimation window contributes in explaining the size effect. Simulations of asset returns show that the magnitude of the bias in equity returns is proportional to the stock market-induced changes in leverage. We...

This paper documents that the size effect (Banz, 1981) and the contrarian effect (DeBondt and Thaler, 1985) can be explained by a measurement error in beta. This measurement error results from a change in financial leverage during the beta estimation window. Based on simulations of asset...

Using a panel of 425 European firms over the period from 1990 to 2005, we revisit Welch's (2004) finding that stock returns are the primary determinant of capital structure changes and that the corporate motives for issuing activities remain largely unexplained. We document that about half of...

We use a dynamic framework and panel methodology to investigate the determinants of a firms' time-varying capital structure. Our sample comprises 706 European firms from France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. over the period from 1983 to 2002. If capital structure adjustment is costly, firms may...

We use a dynamic framework and panel methodology to investigate the determinants of a time-varying corporate capital structure. Our sample comprises 706 European firms from France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. over the period from 1983 to 2002. If capital structure adjustment is costly, firms may...

Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt die Ergebnisse einer Fragebogenuntersuchung unter deutschen,schweizerischen und österreichischen börsenkotierten Unternehmen über deren Motive zurEmission von Wandelanleihen vor. Die Antworten der Unternehmen bestätigen die Backdoor-Equity-Hypothese, wonach...