The Use of Debt Covenants Worldwide: Institutional Determinants and Implications on Financial Reporting
59 Pages Posted: 30 Oct 2009 Last revised: 26 Aug 2011
Date Written: August 25, 2011
Abstract
This study investigates the use of debt covenants around the world. Based on a sample of 7,053 syndicated-loan borrowers from 23 countries, we find that debt covenants are more prevalent in countries with stronger law enforcement, more developed private credit market, and higher financial reporting quality, and that debt covenants are less prevalent in countries with more extensive creditor rights laws. In addition, we find that timely loss recognition increases with the use of debt covenants; and that this association is greater in countries with strong law enforcement. Overall, we are the first to comprehensively document the use of debt covenants across countries. Our findings shed light on how the use of accounting numbers in debt contracts responds to institutional arrangements that characterize contracting environments, and how it in turn shapes financial reporting practices across different legal regimes.
Keywords: Financial covenants, conservatism, cross-country studies, debt contracting
JEL Classification: M47, G15
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?
Recommended Papers
-
Large-Sample Evidence on the Debt Covenant Hypothesis
By Ilia D. Dichev and Douglas J. Skinner
-
How Does Financing Impact Investment? The Role of Debt Covenants
By Sudheer Chava and Michael R. Roberts