We employ straightforward proxies to identify firms in financial versus economic distress and show that Chapter 11 outcomes and asset restructurings vary according to these firm types. The results from our sample of large bankruptcies from 1991 to 2004 are consistent with the view that the Chapter 11 process preserves the going concern value of financially distressed firms while redeploying the assets of economically distressed firms. These results hold for asset redeployments resulting both from liquidations or acquisitions and those resulting from partial asset liquidations of firms that reorganize in Chapter 11. The empirical findings run counter to concerns that inefficiencies and conflicts of interest severely compromise the Chapter 11 process. Further, we provide the first empirical evidence that the put option inherent in lease contracts is frequently exercised in Chapter 11, that the disposition of lease contracts in bankruptcy constitutes a large portion of asset restructurings, and that the ability to put lease contracts may mitigate the indirect costs of asset fire sales. We also find that unionized firms experience smaller debt reductions in Chapter 11 than do non-unionized firms.
AbstractWe employ straightforward proxies to identify firms in financial versus economic distress and show that Chapter 11 outcomes and asset restructurings vary according to these firm types. The results from our sample of large bankruptcies from 1991 to 2004 are consistent with the view that the Chapter 11 process preserves the going concern value of financially distressed firms while redeploying the assets of economically distressed firms. These results hold for asset redeployments resulting both from liquidations or acquisitions and those resulting from partial asset liquidations of firms that reorganize in Chapter 11. The empirical findings run counter to concerns that inefficiencies and conflicts of interest severely compromise the Chapter 11 process. Further, we provide the first empirical evidence that the put option inherent in lease contracts is frequently exercised in Chapter 11, that the disposition of lease contracts in bankruptcy constitutes a large portion of asset restructurings, and that the ability to put lease contracts may mitigate the indirect costs of asset fire sales. We also find that unionized firms experience smaller debt reductions in Chapter 11 than do non-unionized firms.
We survey empirical studies on the development and effects of increased computerization across equity, foreign exchange, derivatives, and fixed‐income markets. While the changes in the trading process due to computerization in less liquid markets such as the corporate bond market have been modest, there have been dramatic changes in certain derivatives markets, foreign exchange, and particularly in equity markets. In many instances, previous research has found positive effects of computerization on measures of market quality, but our survey highlights that human intermediation is still prominent and beneficial in certain areas.
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