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The effect of debt on corporate profitability : Evidence from French service sector

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  • Mazen Kebewar

    (LEO - Laboratoire d'Économie d'Orleans [UMR7322] - UO - Université d'Orléans - UT - Université de Tours - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Current study aims to provide new empirical evidence on the impact of debt on corporate profitability. This impact can be explained by three essential theories: signaling theory, tax theory and the agency cost theory. Using panel data sample of 2240 French non listed companies of service sector during 1999-2006. By utilizing generalized method of moments (GMM) econometric technique on three measures of profitability ratio (PROF1, PROF2 and ROA), we show that debt ratio has no effect on corporate profitability, regardless of the size of company (VSEs, SMEs or LEs).

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  • Mazen Kebewar, 2012. "The effect of debt on corporate profitability : Evidence from French service sector," Working Papers halshs-00766758, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00766758
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00766758v2
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    Cited by:

    1. Silvia Jencova & Igor Petruska & Marta Lukacova, 2021. "Relationship Between ROA and Total Indebtedness by Threshold Regression Model," Montenegrin Journal of Economics, Economic Laboratory for Transition Research (ELIT), vol. 17(2), pages 37-46.
    2. Ana María Iregui-Bohórquez & Ligia Alba Melo-Becerra & Antonio José Orozco-Gallo, 2020. "Corporate taxes and firms' performance: A meta-frontier approach," Borradores de Economia 1116, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    3. Milos Laura Raisa & Milos Marius Cristian, 2015. "Does Short Term Debt Affect Profitability? Evidence From The Romanian Listed Companies," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 6, pages 228-233, December.
    4. BartEomiej Pilch, 2021. "Dependencies between financial ratios among companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange," Zeszyty Naukowe Małopolskiej Wyższej Szkoły Ekonomicznej w Tarnowie / The Malopolska School of Economics in Tarnow Research Papers Collection, Malopolska School of Economics in Tarnow, vol. 50(2), pages 37-51, June.
    5. repec:hur:ijaraf:v:5:y:2015:i:1:p:35-40 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Močnik Dijana & Širec Karin, 2015. "Determinants Of A Fast-Growing Firm’s Profits: Empirical Evidence For Slovenia," Scientific Annals of Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 62(1), pages 37-54, April.
    7. Ahmad Dahiyat, 2016. "Does Liquidity and Solvency Affect Banks Profitability? Evidence from Listed Banks in Jordan," International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 6(1), pages 35-40, January.
    8. Bambang Sutopo & Arum Kusumaningdyah Adiati & Purnama Siddi, 2021. "Is The Higher Debt Level Profitable for State-Owned Enterprises?," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(1), pages 243-256.
    9. Ibhagui, Oyakhilome W. & Olokoyo, Felicia O., 2018. "Leverage and firm performance: New evidence on the role of firm size," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 57-82.
    10. Benter Omollo Achieng & Willy Muturi & Joshua Wanjare, 2018. "Effect of Equity Financing Options on Financial Performance of Non-Financial Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya," Applied Economics and Finance, Redfame publishing, vol. 5(4), pages 160-173, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Debt; GMM; Panel data; Profitability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance

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