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Debt Maturity, Underinvestment Problem and Corporate Value

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  • Karren Lee-Hwei Khaw

    (School of Economics, Finance and Banking, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia)

  • Benjie Chien Jiang Lee

    (School of Economics, Finance and Banking, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia)

Abstract

This study examines how Malaysian public listed firms with low and high corporate values use debt maturity as a tool to mitigate underinvestment problem. This study employs panel data methodology instead of the commonly used pooling regression. Results show that firms with low Tobin's Q ratio, a proxy for corporate value, maintain lower level of long-term debt to mitigate agency costs of debt caused by underinvestment problem, whereas firms with high Tobin's Q ratio are indifferent with the debt maturity decision. This study extends the literature on the determinants of debt maturity structure by highlighting the importance of recognising the firms by the corporate values in relation to the underinvestment problem. The findings also provide additional justification for the existing literature in explaining the negative relationship between agency costs of debt and debt maturity structure using a sample of firms from a developing market.

Suggested Citation

  • Karren Lee-Hwei Khaw & Benjie Chien Jiang Lee, 2016. "Debt Maturity, Underinvestment Problem and Corporate Value," Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance (AAMJAF), Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, vol. 12(Suppl. 1), pages 1-1–17.
    • Handle: RePEc:usm:journl:aamjaf012s1_1-17
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Sadiq, Misbah & Yousaf, Sheikh Usman & Anser, Muhammad Khalid & Rashid Khan, Haroon ur & Sriyanto, Sriyanto & Zaman, Khalid & Van Tu, Duong & Anis, Siti Nisrin Mohd, 2023. "The role of debt financing in the relationship between capital structure, firm’s value, and macroeconomic factors: To throw caution to the wind," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 212-223.
    3. Hafezali Iqbal Hussain & Mohd Farid Shamsudin & Shahrullizuannizam Salehuddin & Noor H. Jabarullah, 2018. "Debt Maturity and Shari'ah Compliance: Evidence from Malaysian Panel Data," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 176-186.
    4. Phan, Quynh Trang, 2018. "Corporate debt and investment with financial constraints: Vietnamese listed firms," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 268-280.

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