Optimum Capital Structure

Thesis (M.A.) from the year 2009 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, grade: M.B.A, University of Dhaka, course: Master of Finance, language: English, abstract: Capital structure is one of the most converse and vital issues both in finance literature and practical research. This research deals with the theoretical and empirical aspects of capital structure decision. It is observed that the determination of debt ratio is subtle and sophisticated to determine, and its estimation is still a matter of debate, and yet there is no entirely satisfactory theoretical model for forecasting the optimal debt ratio in the firm's capital structure. There is little consensus on how firms choose their capital structure and how the firm-specific factors influence the shape of the capital structure. This research develops a link between theory and practice of capital structure.

This study has supported a set of sample firms to show the impact of six factors determinants on the financial leverage and how they comply with the findings derived by different previous theories regarding these factors. Least Square method has been used to assess the influence of defined explanatory variables on the capital structure by using the dataset of Bangladeshi manufacturing firms for the period 2000 to 2004. Out of Six examined explanatory variables-agency-equity, agency debt, Bankruptcy, profitability are statistically significant determinants of financial leverage. Otherwise, growth rate and operating leverage are found to be insignificant. Agency-equity, agency debt, bankruptcy operating leverage, profitability, growth rate, all these are showing a negative relation with the dependent variable.

Also, this paper suggests that the institutional context and macroeconomic events play an essential role in the capital structure decisions of Bangladeshi companies. It would seem appropriate that further research should focus on the role played by the institutional framework, such as the impact of taxation, the practice of good corporate governance, legal and regulatory structure.