Does Corporate Governance Influence Convertible Bond Issuance?

Abstract

We examine the influence of corporate governance quality on firms’ choice between convertible debt, straight debt, and equity. Using a Western European sample of security offerings made between 2000 and 2010, we find that weaker firm-specific and country-specific corporate governance quality increases firms’ likelihood of issuing convertible debt instead of straight debt and common equity. We also find that stockholder reactions to convertible debt announcements are more favorable for firms with weaker corporate governance. Overall, our results suggest that firms with poor corporate governance quality use convertible debt to achieve lower external financing costs.