The Relation between Corporate and Government Debt Maturity in Europe

Stefano Lugo*, Giulia Piccillo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This article investigates the gap-filling explanation for corporate debt maturity choices in a multi-country setting. We argue that companies adjust their debt maturity in response to shocks in government debt maturity both at home and abroad; the difference between the two effects depends on the markets' relative size and level of integration. Focusing on the European case and treating the Economic and Monetary Union as a shock in market integration, we find strong empirical support for our predictions. Our results have relevant implications for the opportunity for individual governments to use their debt maturity structure as a policy tool.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2119-2140
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis
Volume54
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2019

Keywords

  • GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
  • DETERMINANTS
  • RISK
  • ISSUES

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