Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102967
Jiali Yan , Junyang Yin
How do banks contribute to the green economy? Using a unique dataset detailing firms' revenue exposure to green business activities, we present new evidence that firms generating revenue from green products and services are associated with lower syndicated loan spreads. We find that the green revenue effects on loan spreads are attributable to firms' prospects tied to climate change-related opportunities and banks' environmental orientation. Foreign banks subject to mandatory environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure regulations reduce the loan spreads to green revenue firms. We also find suggestive evidence that firms with green revenue tend to file more green patents following loan origination. While banks typically perceive green innovation as riskier and demand higher loan spreads, this effect is offset if a firm also generates green revenue. Collectively, our results highlight the pivotal role that banks play in channeling financial resources toward green business practices.
{"title":"Corporate green revenue and syndicated loan pricing","authors":"Jiali Yan , Junyang Yin","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102967","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102967","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>How do banks contribute to the green economy? Using a unique dataset detailing firms' revenue exposure to green business activities, we present new evidence that firms generating revenue from green products and services are associated with lower syndicated loan spreads. We find that the green revenue effects on loan spreads are attributable to firms' prospects tied to climate change-related opportunities and banks' environmental orientation. Foreign banks subject to mandatory environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure regulations reduce the loan spreads to green revenue firms. We also find suggestive evidence that firms with green revenue tend to file more green patents following loan origination. While banks typically perceive green innovation as riskier and demand higher loan spreads, this effect is offset if a firm also generates green revenue. Collectively, our results highlight the pivotal role that banks play in channeling financial resources toward green business practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102967"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102970
Qi Dong , Gianluca Marcato , Chen Zheng
This study examines the influence of global board reforms on cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs). Using a difference-in-differences methodology, we find that CBMA flows increase significantly following board reforms in both home and host countries. The effect is more pronounced for countries with relatively weaker external governance mechanisms compared to their counterparts. Our findings suggest that board reforms enhance board functions, thereby facilitating firms' outbound investments. Simultaneously, improved board governance mitigates acquisition risks, attracting inward investments and, consequently, stimulating CBMA flows.
{"title":"Worldwide board reforms and cross-border M&A flows","authors":"Qi Dong , Gianluca Marcato , Chen Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102970","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102970","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the influence of global board reforms on cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CBMAs). Using a difference-in-differences methodology, we find that CBMA flows increase significantly following board reforms in both home and host countries. The effect is more pronounced for countries with relatively weaker external governance mechanisms compared to their counterparts. Our findings suggest that board reforms enhance board functions, thereby facilitating firms' outbound investments. Simultaneously, improved board governance mitigates acquisition risks, attracting inward investments and, consequently, stimulating CBMA flows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102970"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102961
Cassandra R. Cole, Evan M. Eastman
Theory suggests that firms move through distinct lifecycle stages that are determined by internal and external factors. Empirical evidence indicates that firm behavior differs across lifecycle stages. Using a sample of financial firms, specifically insurance companies, and a cashflow-based measure of lifecycle stages, we examine how demand for risk management varies across the corporate lifecycle. Employing reinsurance as our proxy for risk management, our results suggest that demand for risk management differs across lifecycle stages, with firms using more reinsurance in the introduction, growth, shake-out, and decline stages. We also find evidence that there are observable differences in the relation between reinsurance use and lifecycle stages when considering external and internal reinsurance separately. Finally, when we jointly consider the impact of lifecycles and factors capturing the main theoretical motives for reinsurance use, we continue to observe differences in the relation between lifecycle stages and the demand for internal and external reinsurance.
{"title":"Risk management and corporate lifecycles: Evidence from reinsurance purchases","authors":"Cassandra R. Cole, Evan M. Eastman","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102961","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102961","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Theory suggests that firms move through distinct lifecycle stages that are determined by internal and external factors. Empirical evidence indicates that firm behavior differs across lifecycle stages. Using a sample of financial firms, specifically insurance companies, and a cashflow-based measure of lifecycle stages, we examine how demand for risk management varies across the corporate lifecycle. Employing reinsurance as our proxy for risk management, our results suggest that demand for risk management differs across lifecycle stages, with firms using more reinsurance in the introduction, growth, shake-out, and decline stages. We also find evidence that there are observable differences in the relation between reinsurance use and lifecycle stages when considering external and internal reinsurance separately. Finally, when we jointly consider the impact of lifecycles and factors capturing the main theoretical motives for reinsurance use, we continue to observe differences in the relation between lifecycle stages and the demand for internal and external reinsurance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102961"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102963
Matteo Vacca
Using trading data from Finland, I document that some rank-and-file employees purchase options written on their employers’ stocks. These purchases are associated with subsequent weekly excess returns of approximately 60 basis points in the underlying stocks. The association is most pronounced before earnings announcements, extends to firms in the employer’s supply chain, is not explained by industry knowledge or trading skill, and weakens upon job separation. The results suggest that some rank-and-file employees attempt to exploit informational advantages by trading in the option market, raising questions about firms’ disclosure policies and the alignment of employee incentives with market efficiency.
{"title":"Insider trading with options: Evidence from rank-and-file employees","authors":"Matteo Vacca","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102963","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102963","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using trading data from Finland, I document that some rank-and-file employees purchase options written on their employers’ stocks. These purchases are associated with subsequent weekly excess returns of approximately 60 basis points in the underlying stocks. The association is most pronounced before earnings announcements, extends to firms in the employer’s supply chain, is not explained by industry knowledge or trading skill, and weakens upon job separation. The results suggest that some rank-and-file employees attempt to exploit informational advantages by trading in the option market, raising questions about firms’ disclosure policies and the alignment of employee incentives with market efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102963"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102962
Mingze Gao , Thanh Son Luong , Buhui Qiu
We study whether and how the market value of corporate real estate (REMV) shapes acquirer M&A performance. Using hand-collected loan agreements linked to M&A deals, we show that financing secured by real estate embeds tighter acquisition covenants and that, unlike other collateral, real estate collateral is associated with higher announcement returns. Instrumental-variables estimates based on headquarters-state property taxes, crime rates, and local natural-disaster exposure support a causal link from REMV to M&A deal performance. A two-by-two design crossing industry growth opportunities with acquisition covenants shows that both lender screening and financial flexibility mechanisms operate: returns are strongest when growth opportunities are high and covenants are restrictive, remain positive but smaller when only one channel is active, and vanish when both are weak. Consistent with ex-ante screening, acquirers borrowing against real estate are more likely to withdraw deals with negative announcement reactions. Our findings highlight the importance of real estate collateral in shaping corporate investment outcomes and suggest that real estate appreciation enhances firms' capacity to undertake more disciplined and value-creating acquisitions.
{"title":"Real estate collateral, lender screening, and M&A performance","authors":"Mingze Gao , Thanh Son Luong , Buhui Qiu","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102962","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102962","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We study whether and how the market value of corporate real estate (REMV) shapes acquirer M&A performance. Using hand-collected loan agreements linked to M&A deals, we show that financing secured by real estate embeds tighter acquisition covenants and that, unlike other collateral, real estate collateral is associated with higher announcement returns. Instrumental-variables estimates based on headquarters-state property taxes, crime rates, and local natural-disaster exposure support a causal link from REMV to M&A deal performance. A two-by-two design crossing industry growth opportunities with acquisition covenants shows that both lender screening and financial flexibility mechanisms operate: returns are strongest when growth opportunities are high and covenants are restrictive, remain positive but smaller when only one channel is active, and vanish when both are weak. Consistent with ex-ante screening, acquirers borrowing against real estate are more likely to withdraw deals with negative announcement reactions. Our findings highlight the importance of real estate collateral in shaping corporate investment outcomes and suggest that real estate appreciation enhances firms' capacity to undertake more disciplined and value-creating acquisitions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102962"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102959
Xianjiao Wu , Qiang Ye , Xiaochen Liu , Xudong Liu
A substantial literature studies the profitability of analyst crowds' consensus recommendations in predicting stock price changes. Nonetheless, uncertainties remain about whether the profitability is contingent upon specific factors, particularly the characteristics of the analyst crowd. This study specifically examines the impact of crowd network structure (crowd size, connection density) and crowd network content (opinion diversity, professional experience diversity) on consensus recommendation profitability. Using comprehensive data from the Chinese stock market, including stock prices, analyst recommendations, and employment histories, we find that consensus recommendations are profitable when they come from larger analyst crowds and when the diversity within these crowds is higher, both in terms of opinion diversity and professional experience diversity. Conversely, consensus recommendations are less likely to be profitable when the analyst crowds maintain denser connections. Moreover, these effects vary across different information environments, including information tone (upgrades or downgrades), stock-level information uncertainty (high versus low), and information disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
{"title":"Exploring the profitability in analyst collective opinions: The role of analyst crowd characteristics","authors":"Xianjiao Wu , Qiang Ye , Xiaochen Liu , Xudong Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102959","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102959","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A substantial literature studies the profitability of analyst crowds' consensus recommendations in predicting stock price changes. Nonetheless, uncertainties remain about whether the profitability is contingent upon specific factors, particularly the characteristics of the analyst crowd. This study specifically examines the impact of crowd network structure (crowd size, connection density) and crowd network content (opinion diversity, professional experience diversity) on consensus recommendation profitability. Using comprehensive data from the Chinese stock market, including stock prices, analyst recommendations, and employment histories, we find that consensus recommendations are profitable when they come from larger analyst crowds and when the diversity within these crowds is higher, both in terms of opinion diversity and professional experience diversity. Conversely, consensus recommendations are less likely to be profitable when the analyst crowds maintain denser connections. Moreover, these effects vary across different information environments, including information tone (upgrades or downgrades), stock-level information uncertainty (high versus low), and information disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102959"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102956
Jie Li , Liping Lu , Jin Wu , Tianhang Zhou
This paper examines the impact of financial deregulation, specifically, the removal of China's loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) cap in 2015, on bank stability. We show that LDR deregulation strengthens the stability of LDR-constrained banks through three mechanisms. First, it alleviates competition for deposits, allowing banks to enhance their franchise value. Second, it enables banks to issue more long-term loans, supported by a more diversified funding base. Third, it reduces reliance on off-balance-sheet activities, such as principal-floating wealth management products, thereby lowering exposure to shadow banking risks. Collectively, these changes reinforce banks' maturity transformation abilities, ultimately improving their overall stability.
{"title":"Deregulation and bank stability: Evidence from loan-to-deposit ratio requirement in China","authors":"Jie Li , Liping Lu , Jin Wu , Tianhang Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102956","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102956","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper examines the impact of financial deregulation, specifically, the removal of China's loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) cap in 2015, on bank stability. We show that LDR deregulation strengthens the stability of LDR-constrained banks through three mechanisms. First, it alleviates competition for deposits, allowing banks to enhance their franchise value. Second, it enables banks to issue more long-term loans, supported by a more diversified funding base. Third, it reduces reliance on off-balance-sheet activities, such as principal-floating wealth management products, thereby lowering exposure to shadow banking risks. Collectively, these changes reinforce banks' maturity transformation abilities, ultimately improving their overall stability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102956"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145979919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102957
Jing He , Michael J. Jung , Xiaodi Zhang
We investigate the influence of sell-side equity analyst coverage on corporate innovation from a market value perspective. While prior studies show that analyst coverage may impede firms' scientific output, as measured by fewer patents and citations, we use a more comprehensive sample over an extended period to provide evidence that analyst coverage is positively associated with patent market values. The positive association is robust to a battery of regression specifications and research designs to address endogeneity. We explore the underlying mechanisms and identify reduced information asymmetry by analysts, rather than increased monitoring, as the key driver of the positive association. Additional tests suggest that more published analyst reports, more reports authored by analysts with scientific education, and more reports that contain patent-related keywords are associated with higher patent market values.
{"title":"Analyst coverage of innovative firms and patent market values","authors":"Jing He , Michael J. Jung , Xiaodi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102957","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102957","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigate the influence of sell-side equity analyst coverage on corporate innovation from a market value perspective. While prior studies show that analyst coverage may impede firms' scientific output, as measured by fewer patents and citations, we use a more comprehensive sample over an extended period to provide evidence that analyst coverage is positively associated with patent market values. The positive association is robust to a battery of regression specifications and research designs to address endogeneity. We explore the underlying mechanisms and identify reduced information asymmetry by analysts, rather than increased monitoring, as the key driver of the positive association. Additional tests suggest that more published analyst reports, more reports authored by analysts with scientific education, and more reports that contain patent-related keywords are associated with higher patent market values.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102957"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102955
Hanzhong Shi , Min Teng , Wenming Wang , Kerui Zhai , Tianhui Li
This study investigates the impact of faultlines within the top management team (TMT) on the cost of bank loans. TMT faultlines divide a TMT into relatively homogeneous subgroups based on the alignment of members' demographic attributes, which can affect TMT functioning. We find that firms with stronger TMT faultlines incur higher loan spreads when seeking bank financing. The path analysis reveals that strong TMT faultlines increase both default risk and information risk, which in turn raise loan spreads charged by banks. Further tests show that the adverse effect of TMT faultlines on bank loan costs is mitigated when borrowing firms have strong corporate governance or borrow from relationship lenders, whereas this adverse effect is more pronounced during financial crisis period with credit tightening. Additionally, we find that borrowing firms with stronger TMT faultlines face higher facility and commitment fees and shorter loan maturities. Overall, this study contributes to the corporate governance literature by highlighting the economic consequences of TMT faultlines in debt contracting and offers practical implications for both debtors and creditors.
{"title":"Management faultlines and the cost of bank loans","authors":"Hanzhong Shi , Min Teng , Wenming Wang , Kerui Zhai , Tianhui Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102955","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102955","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the impact of faultlines within the top management team (TMT) on the cost of bank loans. TMT faultlines divide a TMT into relatively homogeneous subgroups based on the alignment of members' demographic attributes, which can affect TMT functioning. We find that firms with stronger TMT faultlines incur higher loan spreads when seeking bank financing. The path analysis reveals that strong TMT faultlines increase both default risk and information risk, which in turn raise loan spreads charged by banks. Further tests show that the adverse effect of TMT faultlines on bank loan costs is mitigated when borrowing firms have strong corporate governance or borrow from relationship lenders, whereas this adverse effect is more pronounced during financial crisis period with credit tightening. Additionally, we find that borrowing firms with stronger TMT faultlines face higher facility and commitment fees and shorter loan maturities. Overall, this study contributes to the corporate governance literature by highlighting the economic consequences of TMT faultlines in debt contracting and offers practical implications for both debtors and creditors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102955"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102954
Zuben Jin , Zhewei Cheng
This paper explores the emerging phenomenon of executive live streaming, in which corporate executives engage directly with broad audiences through live-streamed events. Using a manually collected dataset of executive live streaming events from 2016 to 2023, we explore the factors influencing the adoption of live streaming and its real effect on firm sales. Our findings show that firms with lower returns, higher stock volatility, and better disclosure quality are more likely to adopt live streaming, while an overseas background hinders adoption. Using propensity score matching (PSM) and difference-in-differences (DiD) methods, we find that executive live streaming leads to a 39.2% increase relative to the standard deviation of monthly online sales. Cross-sectional regressions of percentage changes of quarterly sales reveal a 17.9% increase in online sales and a 7.4% increase in total sales. The effect is stronger for male and younger executives and for firms with higher information asymmetry. Additionally, we find that executive live streaming significantly boosts firm visibility, as measured by increases in search volume index. Overall, these results underscore the strategic value of executive live streaming in enhancing stakeholder communication, consumer engagement and sales growth.
{"title":"Executive live streaming","authors":"Zuben Jin , Zhewei Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102954","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2026.102954","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper explores the emerging phenomenon of executive live streaming, in which corporate executives engage directly with broad audiences through live-streamed events. Using a manually collected dataset of executive live streaming events from 2016 to 2023, we explore the factors influencing the adoption of live streaming and its real effect on firm sales. Our findings show that firms with lower returns, higher stock volatility, and better disclosure quality are more likely to adopt live streaming, while an overseas background hinders adoption. Using propensity score matching (PSM) and difference-in-differences (DiD) methods, we find that executive live streaming leads to a 39.2% increase relative to the standard deviation of monthly online sales. Cross-sectional regressions of percentage changes of quarterly sales reveal a 17.9% increase in online sales and a 7.4% increase in total sales. The effect is stronger for male and younger executives and for firms with higher information asymmetry. Additionally, we find that executive live streaming significantly boosts firm visibility, as measured by increases in search volume index. Overall, these results underscore the strategic value of executive live streaming in enhancing stakeholder communication, consumer engagement and sales growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15525,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Corporate Finance","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102954"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146034953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}