Debt capacity, cash holdings and financial constraints

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we explore the relationship among debt capacity, cash holdings and financial constraints by using the deviation in leverage as a proxy for debt capacity. Our findings show a positive relationship between cash holdings and debt capacity. Furthermore, financially constrained firms benefit more from holding cash that leads to larger increases in debt capacity and easier access to bank loans and credit lines by reducing the heterogeneous beliefs of creditors. Our results indicate that cash holdings complement debt capacity for financially constrained firms.