Does litigation risk matter for managers’ asymmetric cost behavior?

Abstract

This study examines the effect of litigation risk on firms’ asymmetric cost behavior. Using data on filings of securities class action lawsuits from 1999 to 2019, we find that firms’ asymmetric cost behavior increases with higher litigation risk. Furthermore, we find that the effect of litigation risk on cost stickiness is more pronounced in (1) labor-intensive firms, and (2) high-tech industries. Our study contributes to the literature by suggesting that litigation risk is a valuable determinant affecting firms’ asymmetric cost behavior.