The user cost elasticity is a parameter of central importance in economics, with implications for monetary policy, macroeconomic models, tax policy, growth and many other areas. If the supply curve for capital is upward sloping and shocks to demand area important (as they are likely to be over...

This article provides estimates of the inflation-adjusted cost of equity for banks in six countries over the period 1990-2009. This cost is estimated using the single-factor capital asset pricing model (CAPM), where expected stock returns are a function of risk-free rates and a bank-specific...

This paper develops a model of dynamic tax planning in which the implementation of a tax plan involves exercising the option regarding an irreversible investment or financing structure choice. The model is applied to a common estate freeze tax plan. Undertaking an estate freeze requires a...

In this study, we raise the question of why bidders from high investor protection countries tend to make acquisitions in less protective countries. To answer this question, we use a sample of 462 cross-border and domestic acquisitions by Canadian bidders. Our results reveal that Canadian bidders...

This paper studies the impact of M&A of Canadian firms by emerging market firms on the stock performance of the acquired firms from 2000 to 2016, using the short-term window event study. We find that the abnormal return of target firms on the event day is 10.3 percent and the cumulative abnormal...

The shareholder democracy phenomenon is becoming increasingly successful all over the world. This article proposes a description of shareholder activism on the Canadian market since its beginning, at least 15 years ago. First of all, the conceptual framework is based on the conflict of interest...

We document important interactions between tax incentives and corporate policies using a “quasi natural experiment” provided by a surprise announcement that imposed corporate taxes on a group of Canadian publicly-traded firms. The announcement caused a dramatic decrease in value although...

We find that common equity firms pay lower D&O insurance premiums than income trusts, an alternative and riskier ownership form. This result has wide-ranging implications for investors insofar as the information provided by D&O insurers provides investors with an unbiased signal of the firm's...

In recent years Canadian shareholders have become more active in submitting proposals on a variety of issues. Our analyses show that proposals submitted by institutions or coordinated shareholder groups gain stronger support than those submitted by individuals and religious groups. In addition,...