Capital structure of multinational and domestic corporations – a cross‐country comparison. (28th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akhtar, Shumi
• Is Part Of: Accounting and finance. Volume 57:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 319
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2015-10-28
• Subjects: Multinationals -- Capital structure -- Short‐term debt -- Long‐term debt; Accounting -- Periodicals; Finance -- Periodicals; 657.05
• DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0810-5391

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates whether the determinants of capital structure between multinational corporations (MCs) and domestic corporations (DCs) vary across Australia, U.S., Japan, U.K. and Malaysia. Results show (i) the debt holding capacity and majority of the explanatory factors vary between DCs and MCs and also across countries; (ii) Australia, Japan, U.K. and Malaysian MCs hold significantly less long‐term debt relative to U.S. firms; (iii) DCs and MCs that operate under an imputation tax system hold significantly less short‐ and long‐term debt; and (iv) DCs and MCs operating under common law have significantly less short‐term debt and significantly higher long‐term debt.