We develop a model of equity financing risk (EFR; i.e., risky equity issuance costs) to study the joint effects of precautionary savings and research and development (R&D) investments on expected returns. Our evidence confirms the model: (1) financial slack (i.e., liquid assets relative to R&D)...

A risk factor linked to aggregate equity issuance conditions explains the empirical performance of investment factors based on the asset growth anomaly of Cooper, Gulen, and Schill (2008). This new risk factor, dubbed equity financing risk (EFR) factor, subsumes investment factors in leading...

Financial regulation has led banks to increase their equity ratios. Yet, several studies find that this has not led to a decrease in bank equity risk. We show theoretically, that keeping less capital in excess of the minimum capital requirement can outweigh the risk-reducing effect on equity of...