Pecking Order Theory

Corporate Finance Fundamentals · 4:11

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When companies need money to grow and expand
They face a choice of where to make their stand
Internal funds are sitting there so clean
No outside eyes can see what they have seen
Retained earnings flow without a fee
No signals sent for all the world to see

[Chorus]
Internal first, then debt, then equity
That's the pecking order, can't you see
Information gaps make choices clear
Keep your secrets when outsiders peer
Internal first, then debt, then equity
Pecking order theory, that's the key

[Verse 2]
When internal cash runs dry and thin
Debt financing helps them win
Lenders get their interest every year
But don't own shares or interfere
Less dilution than equity brings
Cheaper than what new stock offering sings

[Chorus]
Internal first, then debt, then equity
That's the pecking order, can't you see
Information gaps make choices clear
Keep your secrets when outsiders peer
Internal first, then debt, then equity
Pecking order theory, that's the key

[Bridge]
Why this order, what's the reason why
Information asymmetry is the tie
Managers know more than outside folks
Bad signals when new equity provokes
Market thinks you're overvalued and weak
When new shares are what you seek

[Verse 3]
Equity comes last upon the list
Though ownership control gets shared and missed
New shareholders want their voting rights
Dilution gives existing owners frights
Only when debt capacity is maxed
Do companies get their equity backed

[Chorus]
Internal first, then debt, then equity
That's the pecking order, can't you see
Information gaps make choices clear
Keep your secrets when outsiders peer
Internal first, then debt, then equity
Pecking order theory, that's the key

[Outro]
Remember the sequence when companies need cash
Internal, debt, equity - avoid the market crash
Of confidence that new shares tend to bring
Pecking order theory makes the financing sing

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