Cash holding is important for Chinese manufacturing firms coping with the increasing costs of financing and tough economic conditions. This study examines the impact of cash holding on the firm value of Chinese manufacturing businesses. We found evidence that a non-linear relationship exists between cash holding and firm value in these companies. The study reveals that a higher level of cash holding in financially constrained firms negatively affects the firm value, while unconstrained firms with a less cash holding level have a better firm value. Finally, this research is enriched by implementing the novel measure of managerial optimism. Revealed is the interactive role of cash holding and optimism and how they affect firm value. The study concludes that managerial optimism influences a firm’s cash holding decisions, and this is more costly for unconstrained firms.
This study analyzes the influence of operating capital on a firm’s profitability in the manufacturing sector of China. The study investigates that operating capital develops a non-linear relationship with firm profitability by using the ordinary least square (OLS), fixed effect (FE), and generalized method of moments (GMM) regression. The research reveals that positive operating capital in financially less-constrained firms significantly negatively influences the firm’s profitability. Conversely, negative operating capital in financially constrained firms significantly positively influences the firm’s profitability. Further, we find that financially less-constrained firms design an efficient level of operating capital by holding positive operating capital and negative cash, while constrained firms design an efficient level of operating capital by holding negative operating capital and positive cash. Additionally, we also identify the optimal level of operating capital to increase the firm’s profitability. Generally, we conclude that a firm can design a level of efficient operating capital by trading-off cash with non-cash assets.
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