General Motors Capital Structure and the Costs of Financial Distress

What was apparent from GM’s capital structure and liquidity prior to GM’s declaration of bankruptcy in 2009 that indicated that the company was heading down this path?
Trevor Harris, Daniel Wolfenzon, Andrew Hertzberg, Daniel Paravisini  | Spring 2012
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The costs of financial distress impact most aspects of business activity and can hasten a company along the path to bankruptcy. This case asks students to consider what could be seen in GM’s capital structure and liquidity prior to GM’s declaration of bankruptcy in 2009 that indicated that the company was heading down this path. This is one of a collection of cases that comprise the General Motors Integrated Case, viewing GM’s business issues from multiple perspectives, devised specifically to be taught in Columbia Business School’s Core curriculum.

Case ID: 112101
Supplemental Materials: Teaching Slides
This case is used in core curriculum

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