The Determinants of Corporate Cash Holdings: The Case of a Small Emerging Market

Abstract

This study investigates the factors influencing the level of corporate cash holdings in the context of Jordan, a small emerging market characterized by large market frictions. This article employs the framework of the trade off, financing hierarchy, and managerial discretion theories to predict determinants of cash reserves. Then it examines these predictions using a sample of listed nonfinancial Jordanian firms over the period 2005-2013 using alternative estimation methods. Consistent with the trade-off theory, the results show that firm size and cash substitutes have negative and significant impact on cash holdings while growth opportunities and cash flow volatility have positive and significant impact. In addition, and consistent with the financing hierarchy view, the results show that cash flow and growth opportunities have positive and significant impact on cash holdings. Also, the study documents that leverage is negatively related to cash holdings while squared leverage is positively related to cash reserves. Finally, the results indicate that there are significant dynamic effects in determining cash holding targets.