Debt source choices and stock market performance of Russian firms during the financial crisis

This paper examines the relationship between stock returns and the sources of corporate debt during the financial crisis of 2008. In particular, using data on large-capitalization Russian firms, we investigate whether dependence on either bank debt or bonds affected stock returns during the credit crunch. Our results indicate that the firms which rely entirely on bank debt significantly outperformed the firms with public debt amidst the crisis. This finding suggests that bank debt may be particularly valuable in harsh times. However, we also document that the stock prices of the bank dependent firms recovered more slowly in the post-crisis period.

► We examine the relationship between stock returns and debt sources. ► We investigate the effects of debt sources on stock returns during the 2008 crisis. ► Firms which rely on bank debt outperform the firms with public debt amidst the crisis. ► Bank debt may be particularly valuable in harsh times.