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Impact of Financial Crisis on Firms’ Capital Structure in UK, France, and Germany

Author

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  • Abdullah Iqbal

    (University of Kent, UK)

  • Ortenca Kume

    (University of Kent, UK)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the recent financial crisis on the capital structure decision of UK, French and German firms. The results show that overall leverage ratios increase from pre-crisis (2006 and 2007) to crisis (2008 and 2009) years and then decrease in the post-crisis (2010 and 2011) years. Both equity and debt levels change during the crisis and post-crisis years. The findings further reveal that firms with lower than industry average capital structure ratios in the pre-crisis period experience a gradual increase in their leverage during crisis and post-crisis periods. However, firms with higher than industry average capital structure ratios in the pre-crisis periods experience a significant decrease in the leverage ratios particularly in the post-crisis period mainly due to changes in their equity levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdullah Iqbal & Ortenca Kume, 2014. "Impact of Financial Crisis on Firms’ Capital Structure in UK, France, and Germany," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 18(3-4), pages 249-280, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:mfj:journl:v:18:y:2014:i:3-4:p:249-280
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Chow, Yee Peng & Muhammad, Junaina & Bany-Ariffin, A.N. & Cheng, Fan Fah, 2019. "Macroeconomic Uncertainty and Corporate Capital Structure: Evidence from the Asia Pacific Region," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 53(2), pages 99-122.
    3. repec:zbw:bofitp:2018_010 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Antonios K. Alexandridis & Mohammad S. Hasan, 2020. "Global financial crisis and multiscale systematic risk: Evidence from selected European stock markets," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(4), pages 518-546, October.
    5. Kurronen, Sanna, 2018. "Oil price collapse and firm leverage in resource-dependent countries," BOFIT Discussion Papers 10/2018, Bank of Finland, Institute for Economies in Transition.
    6. Rodríguez-García, Rafael & Budría, Santiago, 2019. "The impact of supply-side factors on corporate leverage," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 262-272.
    7. Joseph, Nathan Lael & Lambertides, Neophytos & Savva, Christos S., 2015. "Short-horizon excess returns and exchange rate and interest rate effects," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 54-76.
    8. Zeitun, Rami & Temimi, Akram & Mimouni, Karim, 2017. "Do financial crises alter the dynamics of corporate capital structure? Evidence from GCC countries," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 21-33.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial crisis; capital structure; leverage; UK; France; Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • 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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