Cash and Corporate Control
- Abstract
- Full Text PDF
- Full Text HTML
- Author(s): OLUBUNMI FALEYE
- Published: Nov 27, 2005
- Pages: 2041-2060
- DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6261.2004.00691.x
ABSTRACT
The takeover market is often suggested as appropriate for containing the agency problems of excessive corporate cash holdings. However, recent studies report contradictory evidence. I focus on the takeover‐deterrence effects of corporate liquidity and suggest the proxy contest as an effective alternative control mechanism. I find that proxy fight targets hold 23% more cash than comparable firms, and that the probability of a contest is significantly increasing in excess cash holdings. Proxy fight announcement return also is positively related to excess cash. Following a contest, executive turnover and special cash distributions to shareholders increase, while cash holdings significantly decline.