Board Liability Limitation, Indemnification and the Cost of Debt
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2010
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Dallas, GS, Bradley, M, Chen, D (2010) Board Liability Limitation, Indemnification and the Cost of Debt.
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Abstract
We document a strong negative relation between the presence of director liability limitation and indemnification-L-index, and the cost of debt. Surprisingly, we find little evidence that firms with higher L-index attracts directors with expertise, the only mechanism through which L-index benefits bondholders based on extant literature. Directors with higher L-index set lower pay-for-performance sensitivity for CEO, which harm bondholders. Unexpectedly, firms with higher L-index seem to take less risk, not more, that may benefit bondholders. After controlling for L-index, G-index is associated with higher cost of debt, which may suggest the beneficial effect of takeovers on bondholders.