Introduction -- Agents and brokers in the insurance industry : an intriguing area for further research -- Valuation of small and medium-sized insurance brokers : establishing a valuation approach for business succession -- Value creation in insurance intermediary mergers and acquisitions : an...

We compare how bond market access affects firms' investment decisions in the United States and the euro area. Having a bond rating enables US corporations to invest more and undertake more acquisitions. In contrast, in the euro area, bond ratings have no effect on investment decisions....