Abstract
This study examines how different components of executive compensation affect the cost of debt. We find that debt-like and equity-like pay components have differing effects: an increase in defined benefit pensions is associated with lower bond yield spread, while higher share holdings lead to higher spreads. In addition, we find that stock options have a mixed impact on the cost of debt whereas cash bonus has no significant impact. Overall, our results indicate that corporate bondholders are fully aware of both risk-taking and risk-avoiding incentives created by various executive pay components.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2893-2907 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Journal of Banking and Finance |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2013 |