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An International Comparison of Capital Structure and Debt Maturity Choices

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  • Joseph P.H. Fan
  • Sheridan Titman
  • Garry Twite

Abstract

This study examines the influence of institutional environment on capital structure and debt maturity choices by examining a cross-section of firms in 39 developed and developing countries. We find that a country's legal and tax system, the level of corruption and the preferences of capital suppliers explain a significant portion of the variation in leverage and debt maturity ratios. Our evidence indicate that firms in countries that are viewed as more corrupt tend to use less equity and more debt, especially short-term debt, while firms operating within legal systems that provide better protection for financial claimants tend to have capital structures with more equity, and relatively more long-term debt. In addition, the existence of an explicit bankruptcy code and/or deposit insurance is associated with higher leverage and more long-term debt. We also find that firms tend to use more debt in countries where there is a greater tax gain from leverage, while firms in countries with larger government bond markets have lower leverage, suggesting that government bonds tend to crowd out corporate debt. Countries with more extensive defined benefit pension funds have higher debt ratios and longer debt maturities, whereas those with more extensive defined contribution fund activities have lower debt ratios. In addition, debt ratios are lower in countries that limit the bond holdings of pension funds. Finally, we do not find a significant association between financing choices and the size of the insurance industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph P.H. Fan & Sheridan Titman & Garry Twite, 2010. "An International Comparison of Capital Structure and Debt Maturity Choices," NBER Working Papers 16445, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:16445
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    4. Lucey, Brian M. & Zhang, QiYu, 2011. "Financial integration and emerging markets capital structure," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 1228-1238, May.
    5. Ayyagari, Meghana & Demirguc-Kunt, Asli & Maksimovic, Vojislav, 2012. "Financing of firms in developing countries : lessons from research," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6036, The World Bank.
    6. Bose, Udichibarna & MacDonald, Ronald & Tsoukas, Serafeim, 2019. "Policy initiatives and firms' access to external finance: Evidence from a panel of emerging Asian economies," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 162-184.
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    9. Sebastian Auguste & Ricardo N. Bebczuk & Gabriel Sanchez, 2013. "Firm Size and Credit in Argentina," Research Department Publications IDB-WP-396, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    10. Jorge A. Muñoz Mendoza & Sandra M. Sepúlveda Yelpo & Carmen L. Veloso Ramos, 2019. "Non-linear Effects of Ownership Structure, Growth Opportunities and Leverage on Debt Maturity in Chilean Firms," Remef - Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF (The Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance), Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, IMEF, vol. 14(1), pages 21-40, Enero-Mar.
    11. R. Miniaci & M. Parisi & P. Panteghini, 2014. "Debt shifting in Europe," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 21(3), pages 397-435, June.
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    13. Leonardo Gambacorta & Jing Yang & Kostas Tsatsaronis, 2014. "Financial structure and growth," BIS Quarterly Review, Bank for International Settlements, March.
    14. Ayyagari, Meghana & Demirguc-Kunt, Asli & Maksimovic, Vojislav, 2011. "Do Phoenix miracles exist ? firm-level evidence from financial crises," Policy Research Working Paper Series 5799, The World Bank.
    15. 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.
    16. Wang, Daphne & Esqueda, Omar A., 2014. "National cultural effects on leverage decisions: Evidence from emerging-market ADRs," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 152-177.
    17. Javier Sánchez-Vidal & Juan Francisco Martín-Ugedo, 2011. "Are the implications of the financial growth cycle confirmed for Spanish SMEs?," Journal of Business Economics and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(4), pages 637-665, July.
    18. Bose, Udichibarna & MacDonald, Ronald & Tsoukas, Serafeim, 2015. "Policy initiatives and firms' access to external finance: Evidence from a panel of emerging Asian economies," 2007 Annual Meeting, July 29-August 1, 2007, Portland, Oregon TN 2015-65, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    19. Kuang Kuang Deng & Siu Kei Wong & Kwong Wing Chau, 2018. "Institutions and Capital Structure: The Case of Chinese Property Firms," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 352-385, April.
    20. Udichibarna Bose & Ronald McDonald & Serafeim Tsoukas, 2016. "Policy initiatives and Örmsíaccess to external finance: Evidence from a panel of emerging Asian economies," Working Papers 2016_18, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    21. Ramli, Nur Ainna & Latan, Hengky & Solovida, Grace T., 2019. "Determinants of capital structure and firm financial performance—A PLS-SEM approach: Evidence from Malaysia and Indonesia," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 148-160.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G3 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance
    • 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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