We develop an economic theory of “flexibility”, which we interpret as the discretion orability to make a decision that …

ofthis theory of capital structure evolution is that optimal capital structure is essentiallydynamic, and depends on the firm …’s stock price, implying that firms issue equity when stockprices are high and debt when stock prices are low. The theory … testablepredictions. Moreover, the theory can rationalize the use of debt in the absence of taxes,agency costs or signaling considerations. …