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Empirical Capital Structure: A Review

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  • Parsons, Christopher
  • Titman, Sheridan

Abstract

This survey provides a synthesis of the empirical capital structure literature. Our synthesis is divided into three parts. The first part examines the evidence that relates to the cross-sectional determinants of capital structure. This literature identifies and discusses the characteristics of firms that tend to be associated with different debt ratios. In the second part, we review the literature that examines changes in capital structure. The papers in this literature explore factors that move firms away from their target capital structures as well as the extent to which future financing choices move firms back toward their targets. Finally, we complete our review with a set of studies that explore the consequences of leverage, rather than its determinants. These studies are concerned with feedback from financing to real decisions. For example, we explore how a firm's financing choices influences its incentive to invest in its workers, price its products, form relationships with suppliers, or compete aggressively with competitors.

Suggested Citation

  • Parsons, Christopher & Titman, Sheridan, 2009. "Empirical Capital Structure: A Review," Foundations and Trends(R) in Finance, now publishers, vol. 3(1), pages 1-93, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:now:fntfin:0500000018
    DOI: 10.1561/0500000018
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    Cited by:

    1. Christophe Moussu & Steve Ohana, 2016. "Do Leveraged Firms Underinvest in Corporate Social Responsibility? Evidence from Health and Safety Programs in U.S. Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 135(4), pages 715-729, June.
    2. Tian, Yuan, 2016. "Optimal capital structure and investment decisions under time-inconsistent preferences," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 83-104.
    3. Qianqian Li & Unyong Pyo, 2021. "Impacts of Top Five Executives¡¯ Compensation on Employee Wages," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 12(1), pages 242-259, January.
    4. Amanpreet Kaur & Balwinder Singh, 2021. "Does Firm’s Size Speak of Its Reputation? Indian Evidence," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 22(4), pages 1038-1053, August.
    5. Larkin, Yelena, 2013. "Brand perception, cash flow stability, and financial policy," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(1), pages 232-253.
    6. Ying Fan & Charles Ka Yui Leung & Zan Yang, 2022. "Financial conditions, local competition, and local market leaders: The case of real estate developers," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 131-193, May.
    7. Drobetz, Wolfgang & Gounopoulos, Dimitrios & Merikas, Andreas & Schröder, Henning, 2013. "Capital structure decisions of globally-listed shipping companies," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 49-76.
    8. Lim, Steve C. & Macias, Antonio J. & Moeller, Thomas, 2020. "Intangible assets and capital structure," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    9. Jeremiah Green & Henock Louis & Jalal Sani, 2022. "Intangible Investments, Scaling, and the Trend in the Accrual–Cash Flow Association," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 1551-1582, September.
    10. Masaaki Kijima & Yuan Tian, 2013. "Investment and capital structure decisions under time-inconsistent preferences　," KIER Working Papers 858, Kyoto University, Institute of Economic Research.
    11. Armen Hovakimian & Ayla Kayhan & Sheridan Titman, 2012. "Are Corporate Default Probabilities Consistent with the Static Trade-off Theory?," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 25(2), pages 315-340.
    12. Woods, Keegan & Tan, Kelvin Jui Keng & Faff, Robert, 2019. "Labor unions and corporate financial leverage: The bargaining device versus crowding-out hypotheses," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 28-44.
    13. Redouane Elkamhi & Raunaq S. Pungaliya & Anand M. Vijh, 2014. "What Do Credit Markets Tell Us About the Speed of Leverage Adjustment?," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(9), pages 2269-2290, September.
    14. Dang, Tung Lam & Dang, Viet Anh & Moshirian, Fariborz & Nguyen, Lily & Zhang, Bohui, 2019. "News media coverage and corporate leverage adjustments," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    15. Dang, Viet Anh & Kim, Minjoo & Shin, Yongcheol, 2015. "In search of robust methods for dynamic panel data models in empirical corporate finance," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 84-98.
    16. Di Giuli, Alberta & Matta, Rafael & Romec, Arthur, 2023. "Capital structure and reversible bargaining tools: Evidence from union-sponsored shareholder proposals," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    17. de Jong, Abe & Jiang, Tao & Verwijmeren, Patrick, 2011. "Strategic Debt in Vertical Relations: Evidence from Franchising," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 87(3), pages 381-392.
    18. Belen Nieto & Rosa Rodriguez, 2015. "Corporate Stock and Bond Return Correlations and Dynamic Adjustments of Capital Structure," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(5-6), pages 705-746, June.
    19. Hafezali Iqbal Hussain & Janusz Grabara & Mohd Shahril Ahmad Razimi & Saeed Pahlevan Sharif, 2019. "Sustainability of Leverage Levels in Response to Shocks in Equity Prices: Islamic Finance as a Socially Responsible Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, June.
    20. Kurada T S S Satyanarayana & Addada Narasimha Rao, 2023. "Capital Structure Theories and its Practice, A study with reference to select NSE listed public sectors banks, India," Papers 2307.14049, arXiv.org.

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