The Financial Wealth of Corporations: A First Look at Sectoral Balance Sheet Data
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Summary:
This paper analyzes the nonfinancial corporation (NFC) sector’s financial balance sheets using data available from the OECD. In our sample of 20 advanced economies, corporate debt in percent of GDP—a frequently used indicator in the context of corporate balance sheet adjustments—has remained high since the global financial crisis, with significant differences in the level and the trend between the high-debt and low-debt groups. Looking at financial balance sheets more broadly, including net financial wealth, the NFC sector’s balance sheet conditions have improved recently, particularly reflecting accumulation of corporate cash and valuation gains on financial assets. Longer time series and more granular data for Japan, which has been experiencing a prolonged period of balance sheet adjustments, indicate that a continued strengthening of balance sheets might occur even after debt levels are reduced.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2016/011
Subject:
Business enterprises Currencies Economic sectors Financial crises Financial institutions Financial statements Global financial crisis of 2008-2009 Money Public financial management (PFM) Stocks
English
Publication Date:
January 26, 2016
ISBN/ISSN:
9781484395073/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA2016011
Pages:
29
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