Short-Term Versus Long-Term Interests: Capital Structure with Multiple Investors

Abstract

We study the problem of financial contracting and renegotiation between a firm and outside investors when the firm cannot commit to future payouts, but assets can be contracted upon. We show that a capital structure with multiple investors specializing in short-term and long-term claims is superior to a structure with only one type of claim. By separating their claims over time and by giving short-term claims priority over long-term claims when debt repayments are not met, investors can harden the incentives for the entrepreneur to renegotiate the contract ex post. Depending on the parameters, the optimal capital structure also differentiates between state-independent and state- dependent long-term claims, which can be interpreted as long-term debt and equity.

JEL Classification: G3, G32