Stefan M. Lewellen

Color portrait of Stefan M. Lewellen

Assistant Professor of Finance

Department Finance
Office Address 360 Business Building
Phone Number 814-867-5848
Email Address sml582@psu.edu

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Education

Ph D, Financial Economics, Yale University, 2013

MBA, Finance, Yale University, 2007

BBA, Engineering Route to Business (Finance, Aerospace Engineering), The University of Texas at Austin, 2001

Courses Taught

FIN 588 – Sem Corporate Finance Research (3)
FIN 588 will provide students with a foundational doctoral-level understanding of key concepts within corporate finance such as contracting frictions, financing, investment, M&A, and corporate governance. Students will be required to demonstrate mastery of both the conceptual and methodological underpinnings of each core concept. Upon completing the course, students should be well-equipped to teach an introductory undergraduate or masters-level corporate finance course at a four-year college or Ph.D.-granting institution.

FIN 596 – Individual Studies (Variable)

FIN 600 – Thesis Research (Variable)

FIN 405 – Adv Financial Mgmt (3)
An examination of the development and application of decision rules for major long-term financial and investment problems of the firm.

FIN 597 – Special Topics (1.5)

FIN 305 – Financial Mgmt Bus (3)
Development of advanced practices of financial management and their application to decision making in business firm. FIN 305 Financial Management of the Business Enterprise (3) The objective of this course is to give students an understanding, and working knowledge of the major decisions faced by corporate financial managers. In general, the course will emphasize three major areas: investment and capital budgeting, financing and capital structure, dividend policy and corporate growth. A basic understanding of financial analysis and valuation will be provided. Basic corporate securities markets will be described. Determinants of securities prices, yields, and returns will be discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the capital markets in financing corporate operations and investment, in facilitating corporate reorganizations and financial restructuring, and in reflecting owners wealth and evaluating the performance of corporate management. Within the general framework, a number of special topics will be covered, including mergers and acquisitions and the market for corporate control, international financial management, derivative instruments and their applications to corporate risk management. Students taking, the course should have a working knowledge of elementary statistics, and a basic understanding of accounting and financial statements.

Selected Publications

Egan M., Lewellen S. M., Sunderam A., "The Cross Section of Bank Value." Review of Financial Studies, vol. 35, no. 5, 2022, pp. 2101-2143
Lewellen S. M., Williams E., "Did Technology Contribute to the Housing Boom? Evidence from MERS." Journal of Financial Economics, vol. 141, no. 3, 2021, pp. 1244-1261
Akey P., Heimer R., Lewellen S. M., "Politicizing Consumer Credit." Journal of Financial Economics, vol. 139, no. 2, 2021, pp. 627-655
Gorton G., Lewellen S. M., Metrick A., "The Safe-Asset Share." American Economic Review, vol. 102, no. 3, 2012, pp. 101-106

Research Impact and Media Mentions

"Pushing Boundaries: Political Redistricting and Consumer Credit", NPR Marketplace, Radio, www.marketplace.org/2022/09/20/partisan-gerrymandering-can-reduce-access-to-credit-study-finds/
"The Long Run Average Cost Puzzle", Harvard Business Review, Journal or Magazine
"Pushing Boundaries: Political Redistricting and Consumer Credit", National Public Radio, Radio, www.npr.org/2018/05/01/607303602/in-gerrymandered-districts-constituents-likely-to-lose-economic-security?t=1620008105760
"Policy Uncertainty, Political Capital, and Firm Risk-Taking", The Economist, Journal or Magazine, www.economist.com/business/2016/11/19/uncertain-business
"The Safe-Asset Share", The Economist, Journal or Magazine

Honors and Awards

Michael J. Brennan Best Paper Award, Review of Financial Studies, (May 31, 2023)
NSE Best Paper Award, National Stock Exchange of India and Indian School of Business, (Jul 31, 2022)
Douglas D. Evanoff Best Paper Award, Chicago Financial Institutions Conference, (Apr 30, 2018)
SAC Capital Award for Outstanding Research, Western Finance Association, (Jun 30, 2013)