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The Misallocation of Finance

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  • TONI M. WHITED
  • JAKE ZHAO
Abstract
We estimate real losses arising from the cross‐sectional misallocation of financial liabilities. Extending a production‐based framework of misallocation measurement to the liabilities side of the balance sheet and using manufacturing firm data from the United States and China, we find significant misallocation of debt and equity in China but not the United States. Reallocating liabilities of firms in China to mimic U.S. efficiency would produce gains of 51% to 69% in real value‐added, with only 17% to 21% stemming from inefficient debt‐equity combinations. For Chinese firms that are large or in developed cities, we estimate lower distortionary financing costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Toni M. Whited & Jake Zhao, 2021. "The Misallocation of Finance," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 76(5), pages 2359-2407, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jfinan:v:76:y:2021:i:5:p:2359-2407
    DOI: 10.1111/jofi.13031
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    2. Davide Luparello, 2023. "Do Productivity Shocks Cause Inputs Misallocation?," Papers 2306.08760, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2024.
    3. Deng, Jiapin & Liu, Qiao, 2024. "Good finance, bad finance, and resource misallocation: Evidence from China," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
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