scholarly journals Three Essays on Capital Structure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mona Yaghoubi
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Cash Holdings ◽  
Management Team ◽  
Leverage Ratio ◽  
Cash Flow Volatility ◽  
Target Leverage ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Debt Levels

<p>This thesis consists of three self-contained essays about the relationship between cash flow and investment volatility and firm capital structure and cash holdings. Capital structure measures sources of financing that allow a firm to operate, invest, and grow.  The first essay reviews the theoretical relationship between firm capital structure and cash flow volatility, develops testable hypotheses, constructs a data set, and then tests the hypotheses using several measures of firm cash flow volatility and econometric methods that account for the non-linear relationship of proportional variables. Overall, the evidence indicates that ceteris paribus, a one standard deviation increase from the mean of cash flow volatility, implies approximately by 24% decrease in the long-term debt ratio, a 26% decrease in probability of holding debt with over 10 years to maturity, and a 39% increase in the probability of not holding either short or long term debt. These findings are novel in the empirical capital structure literature and show the importance of cash flow volatility in firm financial policies.  The second essay studies the financing behaviour of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) from 1990 to 2013 and demonstrates variation in HCA’s market and book leverage ratios due to 1) mergers and acquisitions and divestitures that change the firm’s total assets, 2) share buybacks, and 3) leveraged buyouts and public offerings that change the firm’s ownership. The paper scrutinizes variation in HCA’s market and book leverage ratios independently as well as relative to each other. Our evidence shows that i) HCA’s management team used HCA’s excess cash from divestitures to repurchase HCA’s stock rather than pay off HCA’s debt, ii) HCA’s market leverage ratio tends to stay in a target leverage zone, and iii) in some years HCA’s management team used the book leverage ratio as a tool to keep the market leverage ratio inside a target leverage zone.  In the third essay, we investigate the influence of investment volatility on capital structure and cash holdings using a broad definition of investment. Despite theoretical motivation, the relationship between investment volatility and capital structure has not been studied in the empirical literature. All in all, our evidence suggests that i) firms with relatively high capital expenditure and acquisition investment volatility hold relatively higher levels of debt and lower levels of cash, ii) firms fund large capital expenditures and/or acquisition by increasing debt or decreasing cash, and iii) immediately after funding large investment firms reduce debt levels and increase cash holdings. Research and development investment volatility is related to lower debt levels and higher cash levels, and does not exhibit similar investment spike funding. Overall, our results are consistent with parts, but not all, of the DeAngelo, DeAngelo and Whited (2011) model.</p>

scholarly journals Three Essays on Capital Structure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mona Yaghoubi
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Cash Holdings ◽  
Management Team ◽  
Leverage Ratio ◽  
Cash Flow Volatility ◽  
Target Leverage ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Debt Levels

<p>This thesis consists of three self-contained essays about the relationship between cash flow and investment volatility and firm capital structure and cash holdings. Capital structure measures sources of financing that allow a firm to operate, invest, and grow.  The first essay reviews the theoretical relationship between firm capital structure and cash flow volatility, develops testable hypotheses, constructs a data set, and then tests the hypotheses using several measures of firm cash flow volatility and econometric methods that account for the non-linear relationship of proportional variables. Overall, the evidence indicates that ceteris paribus, a one standard deviation increase from the mean of cash flow volatility, implies approximately by 24% decrease in the long-term debt ratio, a 26% decrease in probability of holding debt with over 10 years to maturity, and a 39% increase in the probability of not holding either short or long term debt. These findings are novel in the empirical capital structure literature and show the importance of cash flow volatility in firm financial policies.  The second essay studies the financing behaviour of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) from 1990 to 2013 and demonstrates variation in HCA’s market and book leverage ratios due to 1) mergers and acquisitions and divestitures that change the firm’s total assets, 2) share buybacks, and 3) leveraged buyouts and public offerings that change the firm’s ownership. The paper scrutinizes variation in HCA’s market and book leverage ratios independently as well as relative to each other. Our evidence shows that i) HCA’s management team used HCA’s excess cash from divestitures to repurchase HCA’s stock rather than pay off HCA’s debt, ii) HCA’s market leverage ratio tends to stay in a target leverage zone, and iii) in some years HCA’s management team used the book leverage ratio as a tool to keep the market leverage ratio inside a target leverage zone.  In the third essay, we investigate the influence of investment volatility on capital structure and cash holdings using a broad definition of investment. Despite theoretical motivation, the relationship between investment volatility and capital structure has not been studied in the empirical literature. All in all, our evidence suggests that i) firms with relatively high capital expenditure and acquisition investment volatility hold relatively higher levels of debt and lower levels of cash, ii) firms fund large capital expenditures and/or acquisition by increasing debt or decreasing cash, and iii) immediately after funding large investment firms reduce debt levels and increase cash holdings. Research and development investment volatility is related to lower debt levels and higher cash levels, and does not exhibit similar investment spike funding. Overall, our results are consistent with parts, but not all, of the DeAngelo, DeAngelo and Whited (2011) model.</p>

scholarly journals Empirical Investigation of Symmetric and Asymmetric Target Adjustment Models: Capital Structure of Non-Financial Firms in Jordan

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashar K. Abu Khalaf
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Interaction Model ◽  
Firm Characteristics ◽  
Leverage Ratio ◽  
Financial Firms ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Amman Stock Exchange ◽  
Target Leverage ◽  
The Impact

The different capital structure theories propose the possible asymmetric behavior of capital structure. Thus, this paper empirically investigates whether non-financial Jordanian firms follow symmetrical or asymmetrical adjustment model. Then, an interaction model with the size and profitability (firm characteristics) investigated the impact of low/high profit and small/large size on the adjustment of leverage towards the target leverage ratio. This paper covered the period of 14 years (2002-2015) for a total of 110 companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange (75 industrial and 35 services). Results indicate that although Jordanian firms seek a target leverage ratio, their adjustment towards that target is Asymmetrical and high profitable and large companies tend to adjust faster than low profitable and small size companies.

Heterogeneity and Asymmetry in Speed of Leverage Adjustment: The Indian Experience

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 1650019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surenderrao Komera ◽  
P. J. Jijo Lukose
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Adjustment Costs ◽  
Group Affiliation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Speed Of Adjustment ◽  
Business Group Affiliation ◽  
Optimal Leverage ◽  
Target Leverage

In this paper, we examine firms' capital structure adjustment behavior and estimate their “speed of adjustment” toward optimal leverage ratios by employing a dynamic, partial adjustment model. We find that sample firms on an average offset half of the deviation from their target leverage ratios in less than one and half (1.41) years. Such evidence suggests optimal capital structure behavior among sample firms. Further, we report cross sectional heterogeneity and asymmetry in speed of adjustment estimates, resulting from varied leverage adjustment costs across the sample firms. We find higher speed of adjustment estimates among larger sample firms suggesting higher leverage adjustment costs for smaller firms. Business group affiliation does not seem to influence the costs of sample firms' leverage adjustment. Over-levered firms report higher speed of adjustment estimates, suggesting that sample firms do not consider debt financing as a “disciplining mechanism” for managers. Further, we find lower speed of adjustment estimates for sample firms with higher cash flow, implying that Indian markets do not actively accommodate firms' cash flow needs. Thus, our findings reveal complex asymmetric information problems and consequent varied leverage adjustment costs among emerging market firms.

The impact of cash flow volatility on firm leverage and debt maturity structure: evidence from China

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfiqar Ali Memon ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Tauni ◽  
Hashmat Ali
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Debt Maturity ◽  
Percent Reduction ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Debt Maturity Structure ◽  
Maturity Structure ◽  
Cash Flow Volatility

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of cash flow volatility on firm’s leverage levels. It also analyzes how cash flow volatility influences the debt maturity structure for the Chinese listed firms. Design/methodology/approach The authors construct the measure for cash flow variability as five-year rolling standard deviation of the cash flow from operations. The authors use generalized linear model approach to determine the effect of volatility on leverage. In addition, the authors design a categorical debt maturity variable and assign categories depending upon firm’s usage of debt at various maturity levels. The authors apply Ordered Probit regression to analyze how volatility affects firm’s debt maturity structure. The authors lag volatility and other independent variables in the estimation models so as to eliminate any possible endogeneity problems. Finally, the authors execute various techniques for verifying the robustness of the main findings. Findings The authors provide evidence that higher volatility of cash flows results in lower leverage levels, while the sub-sampling analysis reveals that there is no such inverse association in the case of Chinese state-owned enterprises. The authors also provide novel findings that irrespective of the ownership structure, firms facing high volatility choose debt of relatively shorter maturities and vice versa. Overall, a rise of one standard deviation in volatility causes 8.89 percent reduction in long-term market leverage ratio and 26.62 percent reduction in the likelihood of issuing debentures or long-term notes. Research limitations/implications This study advocates that cash flow volatility is an essential factor for determining both the debt levels and firm’s term-to-maturity structure. The findings of this study can be helpful for the financial managers in maintaining optimal leverage and debt maturity structure, for lenders in reducing their risk of non-performing loans and for investors in their decision-making process. Originality/value Existing empirical literature regarding the influence of variability of cash flows on leverage and debt maturity structure is inconclusive. Moreover, prior research studies mainly focus only on the developed countries. No previous comprehensive study exists so far for Chinese firms in this regard. This paper endeavors to fulfill this research gap by furnishing novel findings in the context of atypical and distinctive institutional setup of Chinese firms.

Mean reverting leverage policy in China: theory and evidence from industrial and sectorial level unit root analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajid ur Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Unit Root ◽  
Unit Root Test ◽  
Target Level ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Chinese Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leverage Ratio ◽  
Stationary Behavior

Purpose This study aims to apply unit root test to investigate the behavior of Chinese firms toward their leverage policy. The study is based on two influential and competing theories of capital structure. Design/methodology/approach This study applies unit root test to investigate the behavior of Chinese firms toward their leverage policy. The study is based on two influential and competing theories of capital structure. Trade off theory advocates that firms have a target level of leverage ratio and that firms try to achieve that optimal leverage ratio, whereas pecking order theory argues that firms have no target level of leverage and that they follow a specific pattern of leverage. For this purpose, this study applies a Fisher type unit root test to 12,808 firm level observations. The data are unbalanced and cover a period from 1991 to 2014. Findings The results reveal the presence of a stationary behavior across short-term, long-term and total leverage policies. For short-term leverage policy, 21 per cent firms show stationary behavior, while for long-term, 20 per cent show a targeting behavior; for the total leverage policy 17 per cent of firms are found to follow a tradeoff model. To make the findings more interesting sample was further classified into profit and loss making firms. The study finds that loss making firms do not follow a target level of leverage in China. Furthermore, unit root is applied to all firms before and after crises-2008. It is revealed that stationary behavior is more prevalent before crises-2008. Originality/value This study is highly important from the point of view that it quantifies firms into distinct categories of following specific model of capital structure. To the best of the author’s knowledge, the findings of this study add to current research knowledge about Chinese firms with respect to adjustment behavior toward a target capital structure.

scholarly journals The Determinants of Corporate Cash Holdings: The Case of a Small Emerging Market

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Ghada Tayem
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Cash Holdings ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Dynamic Effects ◽  
Growth Opportunities ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Cash Flow Volatility ◽  
Cash Reserves ◽  
Corporate Cash Holdings

This study investigates the factors influencing the level of corporate cash holdings in the context of Jordan, a small emerging market characterized by large market frictions. This article employs the framework of the trade off, financing hierarchy, and managerial discretion theories to predict determinants of cash reserves. Then it examines these predictions using a sample of listed nonfinancial Jordanian firms over the period 2005-2013 using alternative estimation methods. Consistent with the trade-off theory, the results show that firm size and cash substitutes have negative and significant impact on cash holdings while growth opportunities and cash flow volatility have positive and significant impact. In addition, and consistent with the financing hierarchy view, the results show that cash flow and growth opportunities have positive and significant impact on cash holdings. Also, the study documents that leverage is negatively related to cash holdings while squared leverage is positively related to cash reserves. Finally, the results indicate that there are significant dynamic effects in determining cash holding targets.

scholarly journals Statistical Analysis of Causality between Capital Structure and Firm Profitability: Evidence from Bosnia and Herzegovina

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Emina Resić ◽  
Jasmina Mangafić ◽  
Tunjo Perić
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Canonical Correlation ◽  
Debt Structure ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Structure Choice ◽  
Capital Structure Choice ◽  
The Capital Structure

Abstract This research is designed to examine the relationship between the capital structure and profitability of non-financial firms in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the ten years period, from 2003-2012. The goal is to prove the existence of the relationship between the firm’s capital structure choice and its profitability. The analysis is extended by including the debt structure and differentiating between the types of debt such as the long-term and the short-term ones. Canonical correlation and multiple regression analysis are used. The results of the multivariate canonical correlation analysis provide support to a hypothesis that the capital structure and profitability have statistically significant relationships. Furthermore, the findings provide support that firms develop different patterns of profitability depending on the capital structure choice. We found that an increasing proportion of short-term debt and long-term debt in the overall liability of the firm reduces its profitability.

scholarly journals The Role Of Cash Holdings, Working Capital, Dividend Payout On Capital Investment

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-426
Author(s):  
Andrew Chan
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Cash Holdings ◽  
Payout Policy ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Dividend Payout ◽  
Investment Spending ◽  
The Relationship

An objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between firms' capital investment spending, cash holdings, and working capital in an expanding Asian financial market.  A sample of publicly traded manufacturing firms on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange was examined during the period 2005-2014. The empirical results provide strong and statistically significant evidence on the effect of cash flow on investment.  Working capital also exhibits significant relationship with capital investment spending, though the relationship is not as strong and significant as that with cash flow and cash holding.  Firms with low dividend payout policy over the sample period depended heavily on cash flow, changes in cash flow and, to a lesser extent, on working capital to finance spending on fixed plant and equipment.  These results suggest that the effect of capital investment spending financed by internal cash flow on firm value may depend on a firm's dividend payout.

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