Abstract

The objectives of this study are to identify the significant determinants of capital structure of the listed manufacturing companies in Bangladesh and to test the relevant capital structure theories. This study used a panel dataset including 74 manufacturing companies listed under 8 industries in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) for the period of 2002-2011. The Unit Root tests suggested that all series were stationary. Using Panel Corrected Standard Error Regression Model and Random Effects Tobit Regression Model, all selected variables were found significant. Managerial ownership positively and Growth rate, Profitability, Debt service coverage ratio, Non-debt tax shield, Financial costs, Free cash flow to firm, Agency costs and Dividend payment negatively affect the capital structure. Tangibility and Liquidity ratio have positive relationship with Long term debt and negative relationship with Short term debt and Total debt. It was also found that Pecking-order theory and Static Trade-off theory are the most dominant capital structure theories in Bangladesh. The policy implication is that the financial managers should consider these determinants as yardsticks before taking the leverage decisions in order to choose the most favorable capital structure for the company so that it maximizes the shareholders’ value.

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