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Söhnke M. Bartram

Bio: Söhnke M. Bartram is an academic researcher from University of Warwick. The author has contributed to research in topics: Corporate finance & Foreign exchange risk. The author has an hindex of 41, co-authored 134 publications receiving 6276 citations. Previous affiliations of Söhnke M. Bartram include Maastricht University & State Street Global Advisors.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that traditional tests of these explanations result in little explanatory power for determining which firms use derivatives, and that risk management choices are determined endogenously with other financial and operating decisions in ways that are intuitive but difficult to attribute to specific theories.
Abstract: Popular theories of financial risk management indicate that nonfinancial corporations may use derivatives to lower the expected costs of financial distress, to coordinate cash flows with investment policy, or because of agency conflicts between managers and owners. Using a new database of 7,319 firms in 50 countries, we show that traditional tests of these explanations result in little explanatory power for determining which firms use derivatives. Instead, risk management choices are determined endogenously with other financial and operating decisions in ways that are intuitive but difficult to attribute to specific theories. This finding has several important implications. First, it explains why identifying specific motivations for financial risk management is difficult. Second, it indicates that derivative usage can have significant effects on other firm decisions such as the level and maturity of debt, dividend policy, holdings of liquid assets, and the degree of operating hedging. Third, it implies that future empirical and theoretical research on corporate risk management needs to examine a broader array of firm characteristics and decisions to better isolate the role derivatives play in financial policy.

387 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined the effect of derivative use on firm risk and value using a large sample of non-financial firms from 47 countries and found strong evidence that the use of financial derivatives reduces both total risk and systematic risk.
Abstract: Using a large sample of non-financial firms from 47 countries, we examine the effect of derivative use on firm risk and value. We control for endogeneity by matching users and non-users on the basis of their propensity to hedge. We also use a new technique to estimate the effect of omitted variable bias on our inferences. We find strong evidence that the use of financial derivatives reduces both total risk and systematic risk. The effect of derivative use on firm value is positive but more sensitive to endogeneity and omitted variable concerns. However, hedging with derivatives is associated with significantly higher value, abnormal returns, and larger profits during the economic down-turn in 2001-2002, suggesting firms are hedging downside risk.

296 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors show that derivative usage is determined endogenously with other financial and operating decisions in ways that are intuitive but not related to specific theories for why firms hedge, such as the level and maturity of debt, dividend policy, holdings of liquid assets, and international operating hedging.
Abstract: Theory predicts that nonfinancial corporations might use derivatives to lower financial distress costs, coordinate cash flows with investment, or resolve agency conflicts between managers and owners. Using a new database, we find that traditional tests of these theories have little power to explain the determinants of corporate derivatives usage. Instead, we show that derivative usage is determined endogenously with other financial and operating decisions in ways that are intuitive but not related to specific theories for why firms hedge. For example, derivative usage helps determine the level and maturity of debt, dividend policy, holdings of liquid assets, and international operating hedging.

245 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article examined the effect of derivative use on firm risk and value using a large sample of non-financial firms from 47 countries, and found strong evidence that the use of financial derivatives reduces both total risk and systematic risk.
Abstract: Using a large sample of nonfinancial firms from 47 countries, we examine the effect of derivative use on firm risk and value. We control for endogeneity by matching users and nonusers on the basis of their propensity to use derivatives. We also use a new technique to estimate the effect of omitted variable bias on our inferences. We find strong evidence that the use of financial derivatives reduces both total risk and systematic risk. The effect of derivative use on firm value is positive but more sensitive to endogeneity and omitted variable concerns. However, using derivatives is associated with significantly higher value, abnormal returns, and larger profits during the economic downturn in 2001–2002, suggesting that firms are hedging downside risk.

232 citations

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors extend prior theoretical results to model a global firm's FX exposure and show empirically that firms pass through part of currency changes to customers and utilize both operational and financial hedges.
Abstract: Theory predicts sizeable exchange rate (FX) exposure for many firms. However, empirical research has not documented such exposures. To examine this discrepancy, we extend prior theoretical results to model a global firm’s FX exposure and show empirically that firms pass through part of currency changes to customers and utilize both operational and financial hedges. For a typical sample firm, pass-through and operational hedging each reduce exposure by 10% to 15%. Financial hedging with foreign debt, and to a lesser extent FX derivatives, decreases exposure by about 40%. The combination of these factors reduces FX exposures to observed levels.

229 citations


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TL;DR: A theme of the text is the use of artificial regressions for estimation, reference, and specification testing of nonlinear models, including diagnostic tests for parameter constancy, serial correlation, heteroscedasticity, and other types of mis-specification.
Abstract: Offering a unifying theoretical perspective not readily available in any other text, this innovative guide to econometrics uses simple geometrical arguments to develop students' intuitive understanding of basic and advanced topics, emphasizing throughout the practical applications of modern theory and nonlinear techniques of estimation. One theme of the text is the use of artificial regressions for estimation, reference, and specification testing of nonlinear models, including diagnostic tests for parameter constancy, serial correlation, heteroscedasticity, and other types of mis-specification. Explaining how estimates can be obtained and tests can be carried out, the authors go beyond a mere algebraic description to one that can be easily translated into the commands of a standard econometric software package. Covering an unprecedented range of problems with a consistent emphasis on those that arise in applied work, this accessible and coherent guide to the most vital topics in econometrics today is indispensable for advanced students of econometrics and students of statistics interested in regression and related topics. It will also suit practising econometricians who want to update their skills. Flexibly designed to accommodate a variety of course levels, it offers both complete coverage of the basic material and separate chapters on areas of specialized interest.

4,284 citations

01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: The influence of institutional investors on myopic R&D investment behavior was discussed by Bushee as discussed by the authors, who claimed that institutional investors had a profound influence on investment behavior.
Abstract: 机构投资者作为证券市场中的重要力量,越来越受到理论界和实务界的关注。论文对宾夕法尼亚大学沃顿商学院会计学教授布赖恩-布希(Brian Bushee)的论文"The influence of institutional investors on myopic R&D investment behavior"(机构投资者对企业短视研发投资行为的影响,以下简称Bushee(1998))进行评价并提出相关的建议和研究方向。

1,246 citations

Journal ArticleDOI

753 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple illustrative model of price dynamics associated with slow-moving capital due to the presence of inattentive investors is presented. But the model assumes that a relatively small subset of capital (and thus riskbearing capacity) is immediately available to absorb a shock on short notice.
Abstract: I describe asset price dynamics caused by the slow movement of investment capital to trading opportunities. The pattern of price responses to supply or demand shocks typically involves a sharp reaction to the shock and a subsequent and more extended reversal. The amplitude of the immediate price impact and the pattern of the subsequent recovery can reflect institutional impediments to immediate trade, such as search costs for trading counterparties or time to raise capital by intermediaries. I discuss special impediments to capital formation during the recent financial crisis that caused asset price distortions, which subsided afterward. After presenting examples of price reactions to supply shocks in normal market settings, I offer a simple illustrative model of price dynamics associated with slow-moving capital due to the presence of inattentive investors. I ADDRESS THE IMPLICATIONS for asset price dynamics of the apparent slow movement of investment capital to trading opportunities. The arrival of new capital to an investment opportunity can be delayed by fractions of a second in some markets, for example an electronic limit-order-book market for equities, or by months in other markets, such as that for catastrophe risk insurance. Accordingly, prices respond to supply or demand shocks with a sharp reaction because of the relatively small subset of capital (and thus risk-bearing capacity) that is immediately available to absorb a shock on short notice. Such a price impact is substantially reversed over time as additional capital becomes available. The amplitude of the immediate price impact and the pattern of the subsequent recovery can reflect many sorts of attention costs to trade as well as institutional impediments to capital movement, such as search costs for trading

685 citations