April 7 at 4.40 pm - Research seminar by Pedro Saffi (University of Cambridge) "The Rise of the Equity Lending Market: Implications for Corporate Financial Policies"

Venue: Shabolovka st. 26, Room 3402

On Thursday, April 7 at 4.40 pm International College of Economics and Finance will hold the Research Seminar.
Speaker: Pedro Saffi (University of Cambridge) <Curriculum Vitae>
Theme: "The Rise of the Equity Lending Market: Implications for Corporate Financial Policies" joint with Murillo Campello
Venue: Shabolovka st. 26, Room 3402            

Abstract: Ever increasing competition and search for yield have prompted institutional investors to routinely lend their equity holdings, making them the largest suppliers of stocks used for short selling. Shorting depresses stock prices, making it harder for firms to plan their payout policies, investments, merger deals, and employee compensation. We exploit the framework of institutional investing to show how shifts in the supply of lendable (shortable) stocks affect corporate policies. Firms react promptly to increases in lendable stocks by repurchasing shares and building cash reserves. The relations we document appear to be causal and consistent with the argument that firms shore up defenses against shorting activity. To fund their responses, firms pay fewer dividends, issue debt, and reduce investment spending. Firm responses are more pronounced when stocks are ex-ante more liquid, relatively overvalued, have higher pent-up shorting demand, and whose managers' personal compensation is more sensitive to stock prices.

Everyone interested is welcome to attend!

See the web-page of the seminar < https://icef.hse.ru/en/announcements/179768563.html >
Pass can be ordered by:
tel. +7 (495) 772-95-90 ext. 26090
e-mail: vzheleznov@hse.ru
contact: Slava Zheleznov