Speed of Adjustment towards Target Leverage in the ASEAN Countries

Authors

  • Meishan Chua Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Putra Malaysia
  • Nazrul Hisyam Ab Razak Universiti Putra Malaysia
  • Annuar Md Nassir Xiamen University Malaysia
  • Mohamed Hisham Yahya Universiti Putra Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3177.2021

Keywords:

Speed of adjustment, System Generalised Method of Moments (SYS-GMM), book value total debt, book value long-term debt, book value short-term debt, ASEAN

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the speed of adjustment towards target total debt, long-term debt and short-term debt of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) namely Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. The sample of this study included 400 publicly listed firms from 2007 to 2017. Analyses were done with two-step System Generalised Method of Moments (SYS-GMM). Using large sample, the results showed that ASEAN firms are under-adjusted and adjusting with the speed of 30.95%, 37.49% and 40.11% toward total debt, long-term debt and short-term debt, accordingly. To close half of the leverage gap, ASEAN firms need 1.87, 1.62 and 1.35 years for total debt, long-term debt and short-term debt, respectively. The results based on individual country indicated that each country has its own adjustment speed to achieve the target leverage. This study suggests that ASEAN firms are attempting to alter the leverage to its optimum.

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Published

2021-03-24

How to Cite

Meishan Chua, Nazrul Hisyam Ab Razak, Annuar Md Nassir, & Mohamed Hisham Yahya. (2021). Speed of Adjustment towards Target Leverage in the ASEAN Countries. International Journal of Business and Society, 22(1), 313–331. https://doi.org/10.33736/ijbs.3177.2021