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Is debt replacing equity in regulated privatized infrastructure in developing countries?

Author

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  • da Silva, Luis Correia
  • Estache, Antonio
  • Jarvela, Sakari

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the evolution of the financing structure of regulated privatized utilities and transport companies. To do so, the authors rely on a sample of 121 utilities distributed over 16 countries, and 23 transport infrastructure operators and 23 transport services operators distributed over 23 countries. They show that leverage rates vary significantly across sectors, with the highest rates observed in transport and the lowest in water. Moreover, the authors also show that the 1997 Asia crisis led operators to adjust their financial structure differently in different regions. Overall, the evidence they present shows that debt is replacing equity in financing the investment needs of utilities and transport services in developing countries. These results raise some questions as to whether the regulator's mandate should be expanded to monitor the financial structure of companies and as to whether the international community should make a stronger commitment to more transparent regulatory accounting systems.

Suggested Citation

  • da Silva, Luis Correia & Estache, Antonio & Jarvela, Sakari, 2004. "Is debt replacing equity in regulated privatized infrastructure in developing countries?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3374, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:3374
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antonio Estache, 2004. "Argentina Privatization: A Cure or a Disease?," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/44066, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Pierre M. Picard & Ridwan D. Rusli, 2018. "State‐owned firms and private debt," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 20(5), pages 672-702, October.
    2. Patricia Bachiller & Mar�a Jos� Arcas, 2006. "Performance and capital structure of privatized firms in the european union," Documentos de Trabajo dt2006-02, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Universidad de Zaragoza.
    3. Antonio Estache & Ellis Juan & Lourdes Trujillo, 2011. "Public–Private Partnerships in Transport," Chapters, in: André de Palma & Robin Lindsey & Emile Quinet & Roger Vickerman (ed.), A Handbook of Transport Economics, chapter 30, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. Fay, Marianne & Martimort, David & Straub, Stéphane, 2021. "Funding and financing infrastructure: The joint-use of public and private finance," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    5. Hulya Dagdeviren, 2009. "Limits To Competition And Regulation In Privatized Electricity Markets," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 80(4), pages 641-664, December.
    6. Gemson, Josephine & Gautami, K.V. & Thillai Rajan, A., 2012. "Impact of private equity investments in infrastructure projects," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 59-65.
    7. Salvador Bertomeu, 2019. "On the effects of the financialization of private utilities: lessons from the UK water sector," Working Papers ECARES 2019-29, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    8. Singh, Kewal & Singh, Anoop & Prakash, Puneet, 2022. "Estimating the cost of equity for the regulated energy and infrastructure sectors in India," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    9. Maria Jose Arcas & Patricia Bachiller, 2008. "Performance and Capital Structure of Privatized Firms in Europe," Global Economic Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(1), pages 107-123.

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