Firm-level Access to International Capital Markets: Evidence from Chilean Equities

Abstract:     
High growth, liquid Chilean firms have greater relative weights in U.S. equity portfolios, but the most important determinant of a firm's portfolio weight is whether it is listed on a U.S. exchange. Cross-listing does not, however, appear to have permanent benefits: Weights in U.S. portfolios of firms that cross-listed in the mid-1990s increased at the expense of firms that cross-listed earlier. Put another way, firms appear to be able to access international capital at the time of the cross-listing, but this access may well be short-lived.

Keywords: Financial liberalization, portfolio choice, emerging market, home bias

JEL Classifications: G1, G3, F3

Working Paper Series