In this paper, we examine the relative explanatory power of three motivations for firms to remain debt free - managerial entrenchment, need for financial flexibility, and credit constraints. Consistent with the hypothesis that they lack access to debt markets, these firms are small, young,...

In this paper, we examine why firms have no debt in their capital structure. We reject the hypothesis that zero-leverage policies are driven by entrenched managers attempting to avoid the disciplinary pressures of debt. These firms do not have weaker internal or external governance mechanisms....

In this paper, we examine why firms have no debt in their capital structure. We reject the hypothesis that zero-leverage policies are driven by entrenched managers attempting to avoid the disciplinary pressures of debt. These firms do not have weaker internal or external governance mechanisms....