Abstract

This dissertation investigates the relationship between risk and finance at the level of firms. In the first chapter, a model is developed in which optimal debt maturity is determined by a balance between the higher rollover risk of short-term debt and the higher risk-taking incentives of long-term debt. Evidence is provided using firm-level data on sales growth volatility and resource allocation to business lines. The second chapter explores the role of financial innovation in securities issuance, finding that the introduction of new financial products improves a firm's ability to raise funds. A model of the allocation of financial products among firms in specific sectors is developed, showing that the differential adoption of new and specialized financial products explains much of the observed variation in proceeds growth across sectors.

Committee Chair

Rodolfo Manuelli

Committee Members

Ana Babus, Francisco Buera, Sara Moreira, Yongseok Shin,

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Economics

Author's School

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

Winter 12-15-2022

Language

English (en)

Author's ORCID

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5786-2600

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Economics Commons

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