IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jjrfmx/v16y2023i5p274-d1148401.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An Assessment of the Benefits of Optimizing Working Capital and Profitability: Perspectives from DJIA30 and NASDAQ100

Author

Listed:
  • Tarek Eldomiaty

    (Management Department, The American University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt)

  • Nourhan Eid

    (Management Department, The American University in Cairo, Cairo 11835, Egypt)

  • Farida Taman

    (Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Cairo 21937, Egypt)

  • Mohamed Rashwan

    (Business Department, The British University in Egypt, Cairo 11837, Egypt)

Abstract

The objective of this paper goes beyond the boundaries of an exploratory analysis to operationalize the association between corporate working capital and return on assets. This paper optimizes the impact of the Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) on Return on Assets (ROA). The paper develops a mathematical formulation that connects the components of CCC to ROA. The sample includes the non-financial firms listed in DJIA30 and NASDAQ100. The data covers the quarterly periods from June 1992 to March 2018. The paper uses standard statistical tests including linearity (RESET), the Hausman test for fixed and random effects, and the Breusch–Pagan/Cook–Weisberg test for heteroskedasticity. The estimation is carried out using the GLS estimator. This study finds: (a) the optimal, rather than observed, components of CCC are robust and coherent, (b) if firms were to optimize the components of CCC, the ROA improves significantly, (c) the positive estimates of size show that the components of CCC help firms grow, (d) the effects of either observed or optimal CCC on ROA are reached in the short term (four quarters), (e) the results show that observed as well as optimal CCC are able to detect the structural break in the 2008 financial crisis, and (f) the results of a logit analysis show that the optimization algorithm results in significant increases in ROA that are associated with increases in degree of financial leverage and decreases in short-term debt ratio. This paper contributes to the related literature in two ways. First, the paper develops a mathematical structure that associates corporate CCC and ROA in a way that offers a guide to corporate financial managers regarding structural management of corporate CCC. Second, the paper examines the impacts of optimized CCC on ROA.

Suggested Citation

  • Tarek Eldomiaty & Nourhan Eid & Farida Taman & Mohamed Rashwan, 2023. "An Assessment of the Benefits of Optimizing Working Capital and Profitability: Perspectives from DJIA30 and NASDAQ100," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:16:y:2023:i:5:p:274-:d:1148401
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/16/5/274/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/16/5/274/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Petersen, Mitchell A & Rajan, Raghuram G, 1997. "Trade Credit: Theories and Evidence," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 10(3), pages 661-691.
    2. Hausman, Jerry A & Taylor, William E, 1981. "Panel Data and Unobservable Individual Effects," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 49(6), pages 1377-1398, November.
    3. Maad A. Q. Aldubhani & Jitian Wang & Tingting Gong & Ramzi Ali Maudhah, 2022. "Impact of working capital management on profitability: evidence from listed companies in Qatar," Journal of Money and Business, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 2(1), pages 70-81, March.
    4. Yao, Tong & Yu, Tong & Zhang, Ting & Chen, Shaw, 2011. "Asset growth and stock returns: Evidence from Asian financial markets," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 115-139, January.
    5. Dang, Chongyu & (Frank) Li, Zhichuan & Yang, Chen, 2018. "Measuring firm size in empirical corporate finance," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 159-176.
    6. Hausman, Jerry, 2015. "Specification tests in econometrics," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 38(2), pages 112-134.
    7. Amr Ahmed Moussa, 2019. "Determinants of working capital behavior: evidence from Egypt," International Journal of Managerial Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(1), pages 39-61, February.
    8. Morrison, Catherine J, 1993. "Investment in Capital Assets and Economic Performance: The U.S. Chemicals and Primary-Metals Industries in Transition," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 11(1), pages 45-60, January.
    9. Amr Ahmed Moussa, 2019. "Determinants of working capital behavior: evidence from Egypt," International Journal of Managerial Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(1), pages 39-61, February.
    10. Syed Danial Hashmi & Saqib Gulzar & Zeshan Ghafoor & Iram Naz, 2020. "Sensitivity of firm size measures to practices of corporate finance: evidence from BRICS," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-19, December.
    11. Moon K. Kim & David A. Burnie, 2002. "The Firm Size Effect and the Economic Cycle," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 25(1), pages 111-124, March.
    12. Andrews, Donald W K, 1993. "Tests for Parameter Instability and Structural Change with Unknown Change Point," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 61(4), pages 821-856, July.
    13. David G. Luenberger & Yinyu Ye, 2008. "Linear and Nonlinear Programming," International Series in Operations Research and Management Science, Springer, edition 0, number 978-0-387-74503-9, March.
    14. Graham, John R. & Harvey, Campbell R., 2001. "The theory and practice of corporate finance: evidence from the field," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(2-3), pages 187-243, May.
    15. Anh-Huyen Vu Thi & The-Dong Phung, 2021. "Capital Structure, Working Capital, and Governance Quality Affect the Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Taiwan," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, August.
    16. DeAngelo, Harry & DeAngelo, Linda & Whited, Toni M., 2011. "Capital structure dynamics and transitory debt," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(2), pages 235-261, February.
    17. Morris Lamberson, 1995. "Changes in Working Capital of Small Firms in Relation to Changes in Economic Activity," American Journal of Business, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 10(2), pages 45-50.
    18. Chan, K. C. & Chen, Nai-fu & Hsieh, David A., 1985. "An exploratory investigation of the firm size effect," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 451-471, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Daitri Tiwary & Samit Paul, 2023. "Role of Bank Credit and External Commercial Borrowings in Working Capital Financing: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing Firms," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Teresa Candeias & Diana Dias, 2023. "Wine Companies’ Profitability in the Old World: Working Capital’s Impact," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tarek Ibrahim Eldomiaty & Mohamed Hashem Rashwan & Mohamed Bahaa El Din & Waleed Tayel, 2016. "Firm, industry and economic determinants of working capital at risk," International Journal of Financial Engineering (IJFE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 3(04), pages 1-29, December.
    2. Xiaodong Teng & Bao-Guang Chang & Kun-Shan Wu, 2021. "The Role of Financial Flexibility on Enterprise Sustainable Development during the COVID-19 Crisis—A Consideration of Tangible Assets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Douglas (DJ) Fairhurst, 2020. "Financing seasonal demand," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 49(3), pages 839-870, September.
    4. Eduardo Sandoval, 2015. "Small Vs Large Caps. Evidence From Developed And Emerging Stock Markets During Periods With And Without Financial Crisis, Small Vs Large Caps. Evidencia De Mercados Accionarios Desarrollados Y Emergen," Revista Internacional Administracion & Finanzas, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 8(4), pages 27-44.
    5. Akbar, Saeed & Rehman, Shafiq ur & Liu, Jia & Shah, Syed Zulfiqar Ali, 2017. "Credit supply constraints and financial policies of listed companies during the 2007–2009 financial crisis," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 559-571.
    6. Jacek Jaworski & Leszek Czerwonka, 2022. "Which Determinants Matter for Working Capital Management in Energy Industry? The Case of European Union Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Rode, David C. & Fischbeck, Paul S., 2019. "Regulated equity returns: A puzzle," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    8. Khémiri, Wafa & Noubbigh, Hédi, 2018. "Determinants of capital structure: Evidence from sub-Saharan African firms," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 150-159.
    9. Akbar, Saeed & Rehman, Shafiq ur & Ormrod, Phillip, 2013. "The impact of recent financial shocks on the financing and investment policies of UK private firms," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 59-70.
    10. Wenlian Gao & Feifei Zhu & Kai Chen, 2023. "The role of bank lenders in firm leverage adjustments," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 46(1), pages 63-97, February.
    11. Ginés Hernández-Cánovas & Pedro Martínez-Solano, 2007. "Effect of the Number of Banking Relationships on Credit Availability: Evidence from Panel Data of Spanish Small Firms," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 28(1), pages 37-53, January.
    12. Su, Liangjun & Lu, Xun, 2013. "Nonparametric dynamic panel data models: Kernel estimation and specification testing," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 176(2), pages 112-133.
    13. Karakatsani, Nektaria V. & Bunn, Derek W., 2008. "Forecasting electricity prices: The impact of fundamentals and time-varying coefficients," International Journal of Forecasting, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 764-785.
    14. O'Brien, Raymond & Patacchini, Eleonora, 2003. "Testing the exogeneity assumption in panel data models with "non classical" disturbances," Discussion Paper Series In Economics And Econometrics 0302, Economics Division, School of Social Sciences, University of Southampton.
    15. Marc Auboin & Martina Engemann, 2014. "Testing the trade credit and trade link: evidence from data on export credit insurance," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 150(4), pages 715-743, November.
    16. Philippe Cyrenne & Robert Fenton & Joseph Warbanski, 2006. "Historic Buildings and Rehabilitation Expenditures: A Panel Data Approach," Journal of Real Estate Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(4), pages 349-380, January.
    17. Elmina Homapour & Larry Su & Fabio Caraffini & Francisco Chiclana, 2022. "Regression Analysis of Macroeconomic Conditions and Capital Structures of Publicly Listed British Firms," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-28, March.
    18. Marcelo José Braga Nonnenberg & Mário Jorge Cardoso de Mendonça, 2004. "Determinantes dos Investimentos Diretos Externos em Países em Desenvolvimento," Discussion Papers 1016, Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada - IPEA.
    19. Ralf Diedrich & Stefan Dierkes & Hans-Christian Gröger, 2022. "A note on the cost of capital with fixed payout ratios," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1559-1575, November.
    20. Rana El Bahsh & Ali Alattar & Aziz N. Yusuf, 2018. "Firm, Industry and Country Level Determinants of Capital Structure: Evidence from Jordan," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 8(2), pages 175-190.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:16:y:2023:i:5:p:274-:d:1148401. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.