Haircut size, haircut type and the probability of serial sovereign debt restructurings

This paper complements the empirical literature on sovereign debt restructurings by analyzing potential determinants of (near-term) follow-up restructurings after a re-structuring has taken place. The probability of follow-up restructurings is estimated by means of survival models using a unique dataset provided by Cruces and Trebesch (2013). I find that more comprehensive debt remissions decrease the probability of serial restructurings significantly. Moreover, reductions in net present value due to out-right face value haircuts reduce the probability of serial restructurings more strongly than equally sized reductions in net present value due to maturity extensions and/or interest rate reductions. One possible explanation may be found in the timing of debt remissions: While a cut in face value provides direct and instant relief, maturity exten-sions and/or lower interest rates only unburden a country slowly over time