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Firm leverage decisions: Does industry matter?

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  • Islam, Silvia Z.
  • Khandaker, Sarod

Abstract

We use a standard capital structure mode l to investigate the firm leverage decisions of 1620 companies listed in the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) across a span of 13 years (2000–2012), dividing the sample into mining and other industries (non-mining). We also test for significant differences in leverage decisions between these two groups by applying a dummy variable approach. Our findings show that fundamental differences exist between mining and non-mining companies when making leverage decisions. We find evidence that mining firms are more sensitive to profitability and asset tangibility where neither profitability nor asset tangibility has significant association for non-mining firms. Overall results suggest that industry-type does matter for firms making leverage decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Islam, Silvia Z. & Khandaker, Sarod, 2015. "Firm leverage decisions: Does industry matter?," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 94-107.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:31:y:2015:i:c:p:94-107
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2014.10.005
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    Cited by:

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    6. Ehsan Rajabi & Iran Ebrahimi, 2020. "Does Financial and Economic Factors Influence Firm Value of Listed Company in Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE)?," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 1, pages 174-187.
    7. Abrapuspa Ghani Talattov & Nur Azura Sanusi & Suhal Kusairi & Abu Hassan Shaari, 2016. "The Role Of Corporate Zakat On Optimal Capital Structure Policy: Evidence From Malaysian Firms," Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, Bank Indonesia, vol. 1(2), pages 259-292, February.
    8. Jiang, Wenwen & Kang, Jangkoo & Kim, Hwa-Sung, 2024. "Is the zero-leverage policy value-enhancing?," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 176-189.

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