This paper analyzes the effectiveness of thin-capitalization rules in preventing debt finance by intercompany loans and explores their consequences for corporate decisions. A theoretical discussion emphasizes that limitations of the deduction of interest owed to foreign affiliates would not only...

Die negative Entwicklung der Gesamtwirtschaft macht auch vor dem deutschen Einzelhandel nicht halt. Zwar läuft der private Konsum bisher relativ gut, die Einzelhandelsumsätze gingen in der ersten Jahreshälfte 2009 aber zurück. Die Einzelhandelsfirmen gehen davon aus, dass sich die negative...

Is time-varying firm-level uncertainty a major cause or amplifier of the business cycle? This paper investigates this question in the context of a heterogeneousfirm RBC model with persistent firm-level productivity shocks and lumpy capital adjustment, where cyclical changes in uncertainty...

Using a unique German firm-level data set, this paper is the first to jointly study the cyclical properties of the cross-sections of firm-level real value added and Solow residual innovations, as well as capital and employment adjustment. We find two new business cycle facts: 1) The...