Functional form issues in the regression analysis of financial leverage ratios

Joaquim Ramalho () and Jacinto António Setúbal Vidigal Silva ()
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Jacinto António Setúbal Vidigal Silva: Management Department, Évora University, and CEFAGE-UÉ

CEFAGE-UE Working Papers from University of Evora, CEFAGE-UE (Portugal)

Abstract: Linear models are typically used in the regression analysis of capital structure choices. However, given the proportional and bounded nature of leverage ratios, models such as the tobit, the fractional regression model and its two-part variant are a better alternative. In this paper, we discuss the main econometric assumptions and features of those models, provide a theoretical foundation for their use in the regression analysis of leverage ratios and review some statistical tests suitable to assess their specification. Using a dataset previously considered in the literature, we carry out a comprehensive comparison of the alternative models, finding that in this framework the most relevant functional form issue is the choice between a single model for all capital structure decisions and a two-part model that explains separately the decisions to issue debt and, conditional on the first decision, on the amount of debt to issue.

JEL-codes: C25 G32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 42 pages
Date: 2011
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ecm
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Related works:
Journal Article: Functional form issues in the regression analysis of financial leverage ratios (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cfe:wpcefa:2011_28

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