We show how, in a Merton-type model with bankruptcy, the dividend policy impacts the values of equity and debt as well as credit risk. The recent financial crisis has emphasized the fact that excessive dividends can lead to financial distress. There is a strong need to set qualitative and...

The paper shows how-in a Merton-type model with bankruptcy-the currency composition of debt changes the risk profile of a company raising a given amount of financing, and thus affects the cost of debt. Foreign currency borrowing is cheaper when the exchange rate is positively correlated with the...