Why Do Firms Use High Discount Rates?
83 Pages Posted: 22 Mar 2014 Last revised: 30 Jun 2015
Date Written: June 29, 2015
Abstract
We find that operational constraints lead firms to use high discount rates that exceed their cost of financial capital, based on an original survey of CFOs with firm identifiers linked to responses. Firms with abundant access to capital but limited qualified management or manpower appear to forgo profitable projects in preparation for more profitable future investment opportunities. Consistent with this explanation, firms using high discount rates have strong balance sheets, low leverage, and large cash holdings. We conclude that operational constraints rather than financial constraints explain why firms use discount rates that are on average twice their cost of financial capital.
Keywords: Capital budgeting; discount rates; cost of capital
JEL Classification: G31; G32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation