The Facts About Time: To-Build

Author/Editor:

Petya Koeva Brooks

Publication Date:

August 1, 2000

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper presents new empirical evidence about the process of plant investment. Using newspaper and trade journal articles, the author collects and analyzes time-to-build data for a sample of Compustat firms. These data suggest that the average construction lead time for new plants is around two years in most industries. Business cycle fluctuations do not affect the length of time-to-build. The investment lead times are generally not sensitive to the size of the projects. Only nine percent of the firms in the sample deviate from their investment schedules and delay or abandon their projects.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2000/138

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

August 1, 2000

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451855975/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA1382000

Pages:

22

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