Low Versus High Leverage (LVH)

Bebel, Arkadiusz (2014): Low Versus High Leverage (LVH).

Abstract

Disputes whether financial structure can create value or not were started more than 50 years ago with Modigliani Miller theorem. In this paper I would like to present my own view on level of debt in value creation process. What I am going to prove is that due to expansion option companies with low level of debt are outperforming highly leveraged companies in the long run. I have created a new factor LVH (low versus high leverage) to quantitatively prove that being long in companies with below median net debt/EBITDA and being short in companies with above net debt/EBITDA can bring abnormal returns (with Sharpe ratio even higher than 0.9 and statistically significant alfa of around 7.7% yearly). As shown in chapter IV.II. such strategy might be supplemented by Momentum, Betting against Beta or High minus Low Devil strategies.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: factor investing, quantitative strategy, net debt, leverage, Modigliani-Miller, value creation, alfa
• Subjects: G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G10 - General; G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G11 - Portfolio Choice ; Investment Decisions; G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G12 - Asset Pricing ; Trading Volume ; Bond Interest Rates; G - Financial Economics > G1 - General Financial Markets > G15 - International Financial Markets

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