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Capital Structure in the Property-Liability Insurance Industry: Tests of the Tradeoff and Pecking Order Theories

Author

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  • Jiang Cheng
  • Mary A. Weiss

Abstract

This study examines whether property-liability insurers have an optimum capital structure by testing the tradeoff and pecking order theories for this industry. Capital structure is measured with the net premiums written to surplus ratio, and alternatively, with the liability to asset ratio. The results indicate that the tradeoff theory dominates the pecking order theory in explaining property-liability insurer capital structure. Further, mutual and stock insurers appear to have different target capital structures, as agency theory suggests. Finally, mutual and stock insurers do not adjust at different speeds to their optimal capital structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiang Cheng & Mary A. Weiss, 2012. "Capital Structure in the Property-Liability Insurance Industry: Tests of the Tradeoff and Pecking Order Theories," Journal of Insurance Issues, Western Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 35(1), pages 1-43.
    • Handle: RePEc:wri:journl:v:35:y:2012:i:1:p:1-43
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Fier, Stephen G. & McCullough, Kathleen A. & Carson, James M., 2013. "Internal capital markets and the partial adjustment of leverage," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 1029-1039.
    2. Chia-Ling Ho & Gene Lai & Sangyong Han & Licheng Jin, 2022. "Organisational structure, corporate governance and reinsurance decisions in the U.S. property-liability insurance industry," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 47(4), pages 737-784, October.
    3. Muhammed Altuntas & James Garven & Jannes Rauch, 2018. "On the Corporate Demand for Insurance: Evidence From the Global Reinsurance Market," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 21(2), pages 211-242, September.
    4. Hsiao, Ching-Yuan & Shiu, Yung-Ming, 2021. "Group firms’ access to internal capital markets: The contingent roles of group resources and affiliates’ financial weakness," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 135-156.
    5. Hung, Jessica & Chang, Vincent Y. L., 2018. "The analysis of capital structure for propertyliability insurers: A quantile regression approach," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 14(4), pages 829-850, August.
    6. Altuntas, Muhammed & Berry-Stölzle, Thomas R. & Wende, Sabine, 2015. "Does one size fit all? Determinants of insurer capital structure around the globe," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 251-271.
    7. Thomas R. Berry-Stölzle & Meghan Irene Esson, 2024. "Capital issuances and premium growth in the property–liability insurance industry: evidence from the financial crisis and COVID-19 recession," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 49(1), pages 1-25, January.
    8. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-047 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Ning Wang & Yiling Deng, 2016. "Market responses to loss shocks and insurers' post-catastrophe performance in the US property-casualty insurance market," International Journal of Economics and Business Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 11(3), pages 231-246.
    10. Catherine Bruneau & Nadia Sghaier, 2014. "Cyclicity in the French Property," Working Papers 2014-47, Department of Research, Ipag Business School.
    11. Vincent Y. Chang, 2019. "Does reinsurance purchasing enhance insurers’ competitiveness? Evidence from the U.S. property–liability insurance industry," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 44(4), pages 595-623, October.

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