INFLUENCE OF MACROECONOMIC FACTORS ON FIRM CAPITAL DECISIONS: THE CASE OF NONFINANCIAL FIRMS IN KENYA

Auteur/ices

  • Daniel Kon Ater PhD Candidate, School of Business, University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • Cyrus Iraya PhD, Professor, Department of Finance and Accounting, School of Business, University of Nairobi Kenya
  • Mirie Mwangi PhD, Professor, Department of Finance and Accounting, School of Business, University of Nairobi Kenya
  • Kennedy Okiro Lecturer, Department of Finance and Accounting, School of Business, University of Nairobi, Kenya

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejefr.v4i3.938

Mots-clés :

macroeconomic variables, capital structure, generalised least squared

Résumé

Purpose: The study investigates the relationship between macroeconomic variables and capital structure decisions of nonfinancial firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, in Kenya. Methodology: The study uses an unbalanced secondary panel data consisting of 36 nonfinancial firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) for the period 2015 to 2019 as at December 31st 2019. The sample selection was guided by data availability. The sectors excluded consisted of firms in banking, insurance, equity investment and real estate, including investment trusts. These exclusions were motivated by regulatory differences and for the ease of comparability of findings. Findings: The relationship between macroeconomic variables capital structure decision was found to be positive. This means that macroeconomic variables are determinant of capital structure decisions which supports the notion of trade-off theory and Pecking order theory as they advocate that firms should use debt to finance their operations. Implications: The results of this study have two major policy implications. First, nonfinancial firms in Kenya could significantly improve their performance if there is established utilisation of debt. Second, whilst policies aimed at popularising external finance to firms could have significant positive impacts on capital structure, the benefits of such policies would be much better realised if harmonised with efficient capital market for firms to raise debt capital with favourable interest. JEL: E02; E44; G10

Article visualizations:

Hit counter

Références

Booth, L., Aivazian, V., Demiguc-Kunt, A. & Maksimovic, V. (2001). Capital Structure in developing countries. Journal of Finance, 56 (1) 87-130.

Camara, O. (2012). Capital Structure Adjustment Speed and Macroeconomic Conditions: U.S. MNCs and DCs. International Research Journal of Finance and Economics 84, 106–120.

Collins, O. S., Filibus, I. E., & Clement, A. A. (2012). Corporate capital structure and corporate market value: Empirical evidence from Nigeria. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 4(12), 193.

Dincergok, B. & K. Yalciner (2011). Capital Structure Decisions of Manufacturing Firms’ in Developing Countries. Middle Eastern Finance and Economics 86–100.

Fauzi, F., Basyith, A., & Idris, M. (2013). The determinants of capital structure: An empirical study of New Zealand- listed firms. Asian Journal of Finance & Accounting, 5(2), 1.

Gajurel, D. N., (2006). Macroeconomic Influence on corporate capital structure. http://www.e-fern.org/public/files/file2274392.pdf.

Gitobu, M (2000). Determining the influence of macroeconomic indicators on stock market indicators. Unpublished MBA Project, University of Nairobi

Graham, J. & Harvey, C. (2001). The theory and practice of corporate finance: evidence from the field. Journal of Financial Economics, 60(3),187-243.

Hausman, J. (1978). Specification Tests in Econometrics. Econometrica 46, 1251–1271.

Hewa Wellalage, N., & Locke, S. (2012). Corporate governance and capital structure decision of Sri Lankan listed firms. Corporate Governance and Capital Structure Decision of Sri Lankan Listed Firms. Global Review of Business and Economic Research, 8(1), 157-169.

Kayo, E. K., & Kimura, H. (2011). Hierarchical determinants of capital structure. Journal of Banking & Finance, 35(2), 358–371.

Kinyua, J. M. (2005). An Empirical Investigation of Capital Structure Determinants for small and medium sized Enterprises in Kenya. Unpublished MBA project, University of Nairobi.

Kraus, A. & R. Litzenberger (1973). A State-Preference Model of Optimal Leverage. Journal of Finance, 28, 25-56

Matibe, M. (2005). The Relationship Between ownership structure and capital structure. Case study of NSE. Unpublished MBA Project. University of Nairobi.

Mburu, W. M. (2005). Analysis of the relationship between Assets Structure and Debt Policy for Companies Listed at the NSE. Unpublished MBA Project, University of Nairobi.

Miglo, A. (2014). The capital structure theory: Where do we stand after crisis? Journal of Capital Structure, 1, 1–32.

Mirie M. (2006). Determinants of capital structure; A review of the evidence. Unpublished Independent PHD study paper. University of Nairobi.

Modigliani, F. & Miller, M. H. (1958). The cost of capital, corporation finance and the theory of investment. American Economic Review, 48 (3), 261-97.

Modigliani, F., & Miller, M. H. (1963). Corporate income taxes and the cost of capital: A correction. The American Economic Review, 433–443.

Myers, S. & Majluf, N. (1984). Corporate financing and investment decisions when firms have information that investors do not have, Journal of Financial Economics, 187-221.

Nyamute, M. (1998). Relationship between Stock prices and Macroeconomic variables. Unpublished MBA Dissertation, University of Nairobi.

Odinga. G. O (2003). Determinants of Capital Structure for companies listed at the NSE. Unpublished MBA project, University of Nairobi.

Onsumu, Z. N. (2003). The Relationship between Debt financing and the value of firms quoted on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Unpublished MBA project, University of Nairobi.

Sbeiti, W. (2010). The determinants of capital structure: Evidence from the GCC countries. International Research Journal of Finance and Economics, 47, 56–82.

Sheikh, N. A., & Wang, Z. (2011). Determinants of capital structure: An empirical study of firms in manufacturing industry of Pakistan. Managerial Finance, 37(2), 117–133.

Sifunjo, K. (1999). The causal relationship between exchange rates and stock prices in Kenya. Unpublished MBA Project. University of Nairobi.

Waciira, W. (1999). The relationship between liquidity and Macroeconomic indicators. An inter industry comparison. Unpublished MBA Project. University of Nairobi.

Téléchargements

Publiée

2020-11-07

Numéro

Rubrique

Articles