Abstract

We study the interaction of flexible capital utilization and depreciation for expected returns and investment of firms. Empirically, an investment strategy that buys (sells) equities with low (high) utilization rates earns 5% p.a. Utilization predicts excess returns beyond other production-based variables. We reconcile this novel utilization premium quantitatively using a production model. The model suggests that flexible utilization is important for matching the cross-sectional distribution of investment and stock prices jointly. A model without flexible utilization yields many counterfactuals that flexible utilization addresses by making depreciation fluctuate endogenously. Overall, utilization tightens the link between firms’ production and valuations.

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• Keyword(s):
• asset pricing 28

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