Fire Sales and Impediments to Liquidity Provision in the Corporate Bond Market

Abstract

We examine impediments to liquidity provision by mutual funds to insurance companies during corporate bond fire sales. We find that financial regulation and limited capital capacity significantly affect liquidity provision. Mutual funds reduced their purchase of fire sale bonds following regulatory changes after the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Funds facing more capital constraints (proxied by smaller cash and treasury holdings, less liquid corporate bond investments, higher redemption risk, and less active investment styles) provide less liquidity. Mutual funds actively investing in fire sale bonds earn significant returns from liquidity provision and demonstrate superior overall skills in corporate bond investments.

Keywords: Fire Sales, Liquidity Provision, Corporate-Bond Mutual Funds

JEL Classification: G1, G2