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How do Firm Characteristics Affect Capital Structure? Some UK Evidence

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  • Akdal, Sinan

Abstract

This study aims to determine the influence of various firm level characteristics such as, profitability, size, growth opportunities, asset tangibility, non-debt tax shield, volatility and liquidity on capital structure. Employing the cross-sectional data methodology, the researcher examines the capital structure determinants of 202 companies from FTSE 250 for the time period of 2002 – 2009. Seven variables multiple regression models are used to estimate the influence of firm level attributes on capital structure and capital structure is measured simultaneously by the ratios of total debt, long-term debt and short-term debt at both book value and market value of equity. The results obtained from four different regression models show that profitability and liquidity are negatively and significantly related to leverage. Also asset tangibility has a positive relationship with leverage, which is significant. Moreover the researcher finds that total debt ratio at market value of equity is the most important dependent variable as a proxy of capital structure, followed by long-term debt ratio at market value of equity.

Suggested Citation

  • Akdal, Sinan, 2010. "How do Firm Characteristics Affect Capital Structure? Some UK Evidence," MPRA Paper 29199, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:29199
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Myers, Stewart C. & Majluf, Nicholas S., 1984. "Corporate financing and investment decisions when firms have information that investors do not have," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 187-221, June.
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    3. Stewart C. Myers & Nicholas S. Majluf, 1984. "Corporate Financing and Investment Decisions When Firms Have InformationThat Investors Do Not Have," NBER Working Papers 1396, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    5. A. A. Bevan & J. Danbolt, 2004. "Testing for inconsistencies in the estimation of UK capital structure determinants," Applied Financial Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(1), pages 55-66.
    6. Aydin Ozkan, 2001. "Determinants of Capital Structure and Adjustment to Long Run Target: Evidence From UK Company Panel Data," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1‐2), pages 175-198, January.
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    8. Kraus, Alan & Litzenberger, Robert H, 1973. "A State-Preference Model of Optimal Financial Leverage," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 28(4), pages 911-922, September.
    9. Aydin Ozkan, 2001. "Determinants of Capital Structure and Adjustment to Long Run Target: Evidence From UK Company Panel Data," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1-2), pages 175-198.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Šarlija Nataša & Harc Martina, 2012. "The impact of liquidity on the capital structure: a case study of Croatian firms," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 3(1), pages 30-36, June.
    2. 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.
    3. Natasa Sarlija & Martina Harc, 2016. "Capital Structure Determinants of Small and Medium Enterprises in Croatia," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 14(3 (Fall)), pages 251-266.
    4. Rupinder Kaur & Balwinder Singh, 2021. "The Impact of CEOs’ Characteristics on Corporate Leverage: Indian Scenario," Vision, , vol. 25(4), pages 428-438, December.
    5. Ana Margarida Fernandes Afonso Correia & António Melo Cerqueira & Elísio Brandão, 2015. "Determinants of Corporate Capital Structure: Evidence from Non-financial Listed French Firms," FEP Working Papers 566, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    6. Barry Harrison & Theodorus Wisnu Widjaja, 2014. "The Determinants of Capital Structure: Comparison between Before and After Financial Crisis," Economic Issues Journal Articles, Economic Issues, vol. 19(2), pages 55-83, September.
    7. Maria Angelina Valadares Silva & António Melo Cerqueira & Elísio Brandão, 2017. "The Determinants of Capital Structure: Evidence from Non-financial Listed German Companies," FEP Working Papers 588, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.
    8. Li Zhao & Zhengqiao Liu & Thi Huong Giang Vuong & Huu Manh Nguyen & Florin Radu & Alina Iuliana Tăbîrcă & Yang-Che Wu, 2022. "Determinants of Financial Sustainability in Chinese Firms: A Quantile Regression Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, January.
    9. STANICA Florina-Adriana, 2018. "The Financing Decision Of Romanian Listed Companies - A Descriptive Approach," Revista Economica, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 70(1), pages 27-36, August.
    10. Nguyen Tra Ngoc Vy, 2016. "Does Profitability affect Debt Ratio? Evidence from Vietnam Listed Firms," Journal of Finance and Economics Research, Geist Science, Iqra University, Faculty of Business Administration, vol. 1(2), pages 87-100, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    capital structure; leverage; firm level characteristic; profitability; size; growth opportunities; asset tangibility; non-debt tax shield; volatility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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