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A comparative analysis of proxies for an optimal leverage ratio

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  • D'Mello, Ranjan
  • Farhat, Joseph

Abstract

Previous studies that test the tradeoff theory commonly use one of the following debt ratio measures to proxy for a firm's hypothesized optimal ratio: firm's time-series mean leverage, moving average leverage based on a firm's historical debt ratios, industry median leverage, and predicted leverage ratio based on cross-sectional regressions. We find that these alternative proxies yield results that are significantly different from each other. Further, regression results of models that use the optimum target leverage and the conclusions drawn from the findings are sensitive to the model's proxy. Of the proxies that are commonly used in the literature, the moving average debt measure exhibits characteristics that are most consistent with the theoretical optimal leverage ratio.

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  • D'Mello, Ranjan & Farhat, Joseph, 2008. "A comparative analysis of proxies for an optimal leverage ratio," Review of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(3), pages 213-227, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:revfin:v:17:y:2008:i:3:p:213-227
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    3. Ozbek, O. Volkan, 2021. "Market Performance of Spun-Off Subsidiaries: Effects of Board Independence and Directors’ Industry Experience," American Business Review, Pompea College of Business, University of New Haven, vol. 24(1), pages 249-267, May.
    4. Sabiwalsky, Ralf, 2010. "Nonlinear modelling of target leverage with latent determinant variables -- new evidence on the trade-off theory," Review of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 137-150, October.
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    8. Gharsalli Mazen, 2011. "French firm's financing choices: towards a reconciliation of the static trade-off theory and the pecking order theory?," Post-Print hal-00603762, HAL.
    9. Bontempi, Maria Elena & Bottazzi, Laura & Golinelli, Roberto, 2020. "A multilevel index of heterogeneous short-term and long-term debt dynamics," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    10. Gharsalli Mazen, 2012. "French Firm¡¯s Financing Choices: Towards a Reconciliation of the Static Trade-Off Theory and the Pecking Order Theory?," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(1), pages 57-72, January.
    11. Ralf Sabiwalsky, 2010. "Nonlinear modelling of target leverage with latent determinant variables — new evidence on the trade‐off theory," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 137-150, October.
    12. Gonzalo Rubio & Francisco Sogorb, 2011. "The Adjustment To Target Leverage Of Spanish Public Firms: Macroeconomic Conditions And Distance From Target," Revista de Economia Aplicada, Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Estructura Economica y Economia Publica, vol. 19(3), pages 35-63, Winter.

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