Sticky Cost Behavior: Evidence from BRICS+T Countries

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the sticky cost behavior of publicly-traded companies in Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Turkey (BRICS+T) that are classified as developing economies during the period 2010-2019. In addition to the purpose, the firm characteristics that play a role in the sticky cost behavior of firms and the effect of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is a macroeconomic indicator, has been investigated. The study revealed that the firms in BRICS+T exhibit a sticky cost behavior. Furthermore, it also suggested that inventory intensity, which is one of the firm characteristics, does not affect cost stickiness and that asset, employee and property, plant and equipment intensity raise the level of cost stickiness while debt intensity declines the level of cost stickiness. Last but not least, it was found out that GDP, which is a macroeconomic indicator, raises the sticky cost level when it tends to rise.

Keywords

• Cost stickiness
• Asymmetric cost behavior
• Sticky cost behavior
• Firm characteristics
• BRICS+T firms

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