Table 2

Definition of variables

VariableDefinition
IssueSpreadYield to maturity on the bond issuance date minus the yield to maturity on a treasury bond of similar maturity
PostA dummy variable that equals 1 on the dates after bankruptcy courts were established and 0 otherwise. For bonds whose issuers are located in cities with no bankruptcy court, Post equals 0 all the time
BondsizeThe natural logarithm of bond offering amount
BondtermThe natural logarithm of bond duration in years
BondrateThe ordered value of bond's credit rating (A−1 = 1, AA− = 2, AA = 3, AA+ = 4 and AAA = 5)
BondputA dummy variable that equals 1 if there's put provision, and 0 otherwise
BondcallA dummy variable that equals 1 if there's call provision, and 0 otherwise
BondsecuA dummy variable that equals 1 if the bond is secured, and 0 otherwise
FirmsizeThe natural logarithm of the issuer's total assets
LevThe ratio of total liabilities to total assets of the issuer
GrowthThe annual percentage change in the issuer's operating income from year t to year t−1
ROAThe ratio of net income to total assets
CoverThe ratio of net operating cash flow to interest expense
TangibilityThe ratio of tangible assets to total assets
CurrentThe ratio of current assets to current liabilities
Big4A dummy variable that equals 1 for Big 4 clients, and 0 otherwise
SOEA dummy variable that equals 1 if the controlling shareholder is a government agency, and 0 otherwise
Top1The proportion of shares owned by the largest stockholder of the firm
IssuenumThe number of bonds issued at the issuance date at city level
CorpRateThe ordered value of firm's rating. (BBB = 1, BBB+ = 2, A− = 3, A = 4, A+ = 5, AA− = 6, AA = 7, AA+ = 8, AAA− = 9, AAA = 10)
GDPgThe growth rate of regional GDP

Note(s): This table describes definitions of variables in model 1

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