"Equity smirks" and embedded options: the shape of a firm's value function

This paper examines the methodology and assumptions of Ashton, D., Cooke, T., Tippett, M., Wang, P. (2004) employing recursion value η as an explanatory single-variable in a model of the firm, first introduced by Ashton, D., Cooke, T., Tippett, M., in (2003). A qualitative analysis of all of their numerical findings is given together with an indication of how more useful is the tool of special function theory, here requiring confluent hyper-geometric functions associated with the Merton-style valuation equation A justification and a wider interpretation of their model and findings is offered: these come from inclusion of strictly convex dissipating frictions arising either as insurance costs, replacement costs of funds paid out, or of debt service, and from the inclusion of alternative adaptation options embedded in the equity value of a firm; these predict not only a J-shaped equity curve, but also, under the richer modelling assumption, a snake-like curve that may result from financial frictions like insurance. These ‘smirks’ in the equity curve may be empirically tested. It is shown that the inclusion of frictions in dividend selection (e.g. the signalling costs of Bhattacharya, 1979) leads to an optimal dividend payout of αη that is a constant coupon for an interval of η values preceded by an interval in which α = r; this is at variance with the ACTW model where the exogeneous assumption of a constant a is made.