When opaque firms borrow: the role of investor sentiment

We examine the effect of firm opacity on debt growth and how investor sentiment shapes this relationship. Using an international sample of firms during 2005-2019, we find that firm opacity negatively influences the growth in both bank and total debt ratios. This relationship is more relevant during...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ferrer Zubiate, Elena, Suárez Suárez, Nuria
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/55366
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/55366
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Bank debt growth
Corporate opacity
Internal and external mechanisms
Total debt growth
Investor sentiment
Descripción
Sumario:We examine the effect of firm opacity on debt growth and how investor sentiment shapes this relationship. Using an international sample of firms during 2005-2019, we find that firm opacity negatively influences the growth in both bank and total debt ratios. This relationship is more relevant during periods of high investor sentiment. The role of investor sentiment is more prominent for firms with a lower proportion of bank ownership. The joint effect of firm opacity and investor sentiment is more relevant in countries with more developed institutions and greater creditor rights protection. Our results hold after addressing potential endogeneity concerns and additional tests.