On the prediction of financial distress in emerging markets: What matters more? Empirical evidence from Arab spring countries

Abstract

This study explores the main determinants of financial distress in 11 emerging countries. Using two-way cluster-robust standard errors, evidence shows that matured, profitable, liquid, small firms with high market-to-book ratio and low growth in assets are less prone to financial distress. Moreover, well-developed financial markets in countries with low levels of corruption reduce financial distress. Furthermore, it uses tests for equality between coefficients and moderates multiple regressions to capture the effect of firm life cycle on financial distress, over three Arab Spring sub-periods. The results imply adopting strategies to increase earned capital and cash holdings, avoid over-investment, and facilitate risk diversification strategies.