Financial leverage increases the expected return on equity. We show that this leverage effect is not only irrelevant for shareholders' present wealth but also for the return on their investments. This result is straightforward if we do not only look at the return on equity but at the return on...

We empirically investigate the impact of diversification on the likelihood of being acquired. Our analysis is based on more than 24,000 firm years from all regions for the period between 2001 and 2008. We find that conglomerates are significantly less likely to be acquired and bid premiums paid...

Determination of structure and correct calculation of a company's capital value is an essential; theoretical and practical problem for corporate finance. The proportion between the company's equity and borrowed capital determines the risk and profitability of the company and, consequently, the...

We introduce the concept of the post-merger integration duration (PMID) which is the time delay that it takes a merged entity to fully capture synergistic gains. Using a dynamic model, we examine the effects of this duration on acquiring firms' financing behavior around mergers. When facing a...

Leveraged buyouts allow for a separate identification of sponsor reputation and underlying firm quality and their effects on capital structure choices. In 616 U.S. LBOs for which we can reconstruct financing activity, we find that the average LBO issues an average of 1.16 additional debt...

We provide evidence on leverage and debt maturity targeting in a large international setting. There are key differences in the relative importance of institutional factors in explaining actual as opposed to target capital structures. Targets and target deviations are plausibly influenced by the...