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  1. Dec 28, 2023 · Pecking order theory describes how companies prioritize funding sources - internal funds first, then debt, then equity as a last resort. Equity financing is seen as the most costly due to signaling effects that can lower share prices. Debt is preferred over equity where prudent due to tax benefits and lower risk/cost for debt holders.

  2. Feb 21, 2024 · Therefore, prudent debt management and an understanding of a firm’s capacity to service its debt are crucial for maintaining a healthy financial position. Capital Structure and Agency Problem Capital structure refers to the composition and proportion of a company’s financial resources, particularly the mix of debt and equity used to finance its operations and investments.

    • Overview
    • Key Takeaways
    • How Covenants Work
    • The Risks to Companies

    Companies issue bonds to finance their operations. Most companies could borrow the money from a bank, but they view this as a more restrictive and expensive alternative than selling the debt on the open market through a bond issue.

    Banks tend to place restrictions on borrowers that limit their business activities.

    For the banks, it's a precaution against risk. For companies, it can be a barrier to action.

    The bond market places no comparable restrictions on borrowers.

    In fact, the costs involved in borrowing directly from banks are prohibitive to many companies. In the world of corporate finance, many chief financial officers (CFOs) view banks as lenders of last resort because of the restrictive debt covenants that they place on direct corporate loans.

    Covenants are rules placed on debt that are designed to stabilize corporate performance and reduce the risks to which a bank is exposed when it gives a large loan to a company. These restrictive covenants protect the bank's interests. They're written by securities lawyers and are based on what analysts have determined to be risks to the company's performance.

    Here are a few examples of restrictive covenants that have been placed on companies:

    They can't acquire any more debt until the bank loan is completely paid off

    They can't issue any new share offerings until the bank loan is paid off

    They can't acquire any other companies until the bank loan is paid off

    From the bank's viewpoint, these are reasonable precautions. They have evaluated the company's current financial condition, including its debt level. If that changes overnight, the risk evaluation is no longer valid.

    Thus, covenants are a way for banks to mitigate the risk of holding debt, but for the companies that borrow from them, they can add new risks.

    Consider, for instance, a covenant that automatically increases the interest rate if earnings slump. The company's business challenges have just doubled.

    Interest rates on corporate loans can be hiked, just like those on consumer credit.

    Banks place greater restrictions on how a company can use the loan and are more concerned about debt repayment than bondholders. Bond markets tend to be more lenient than banks and are often seen as easier to deal with. They leave it to the rating agencies to grade the bonds and make their decisions accordingly.

  3. Sep 13, 2022 · Any payable due within one year or less is referred to as short-term debt (or a current liability). Debts with maturities longer than one year are long-term debts (non-current liabilities).

  4. Mar 25, 2022 · A debt issue refers to a financial obligation that allows the issuer to raise funds by promising to repay the lender at a certain point in the future and in accordance with the terms of the ...

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  6. Jan 8, 2024 · Published Jan 8, 2024. Debt issuance costs are a critical factor in shaping the financial strategies of businesses. These expenses, incurred when an organization raises funds through debt, can significantly influence both short-term and long-term planning. Understanding the impact of these costs is essential for stakeholders to make informed ...

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