We compare cross-sectional variation of dividend yields of companies across 32 countries. Beyond the impact of firm-specific accounting and financial variables, this study investigates how the variations in country level variables affect dividend payout policies. The country level variables...

We investigate the effect of CEO hedging on the likelihood and characteristics of M&A decisions. Because of their higher degree of risk tolerance, hedged CEOs are more likely to engage in M&As and are more likely to acquire private and smaller targets. M&A deals by hedged CEOs appear to create...

We study the initiation effect of credit default swaps on CEOs performance-sensitive compensation and shareholder value. We find that the initiation effect of CDS contracts on CEO’s delta varies by the characteristics of firms. Firms with higher R&D and intangibles reduce CEO’s delta whereas...