Strategic interactions and the sensitivity of cash savings to stock price

Abstract

We examine how strategic interactions, i.e., strategic substitutes (SS) and strategic complements (SC), affect the sensitivity of cash savings to stock price. Using a panel data of U.S. firms over the 1997–2019 period, we show that cash savings are more sensitive to stock price among SS than SC and the intensity of rivals’ interactions in product market increases this sensitivity. These results are consistent with research showing that SS are more responsive to product market competition. We further show that R&D intensities and corporate hedging needs act as two channels through which strategic interactions affects cash holdings. First, R&D intensities increase the sensitivity of cash to stock price. This effect is more pronounced among SS, complementing researching showing stock market reacts more strongly to innovation by SS. Second, we report that hedging needs decrease the sensitivity of cash savings to stock price, especially for SC, consistent with the notion that using differentiated inputs increases hedging costs, hence, SC are more conservative in their liquidity management.