Dynamic Corporate Liquidity

We examine the determinants of corporate liquidity management through the lens of an estimated dynamic model of corporate investment and financing. When external finance is costly, firms can absorb shocks and cover liquidity needs by holding cash and by drawing down credit lines. In contrast to cash, we model credit lines as providing liquidity contingent on economic news, but limited by collateral constraints and covenants. The option to draw down credit lines creates value as it allows firms to take advantage of investment opportunities in an effective way, facilitating firm growth. We find that our estimated model matches well the levels and joint dynamics of cash, credit lines, leverage, equity financing and investment when firms can collateralize roughly one third of their assets. In the cross-section, the model provides novel empirical predictions and rationalizes a wide range of stylized facts regarding credit line usage, covenant violations, and cash holdings.