COVID-19 Shock and Interest Expense Stickiness: Evidence from Chinese Listed Firms

The COVID-19 pandemic subjected firms to liquidity pressure and financing difficulties. Our study examines bank credit availability in response to the pandemic by testing the firm's interest expense stickiness. We found that interest expense stickiness was widespread in Chinese listed firms, particularly in state-owned enterprises and large firms. Moreover, interest expenses were stickier during COVID-19 compared to before COVID-19. Interest expense stickiness gradually increased in private and small firms after the COVID-19, indicating that banks provided more credit support for these firms after their sharp revenue declines. Finally, we found that the stronger interest expense stickiness could improve firm's performance.