Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is capital structure?
What is capital structure?
What is financial leverage?
What is financial leverage?
What are leverage or gearing ratios used for?
What are leverage or gearing ratios used for?
What is an optimal capital structure?
What is an optimal capital structure?
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What is the seniority of the capital structure?
What is the seniority of the capital structure?
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What does the Modigliani-Miller theorem argue?
What does the Modigliani-Miller theorem argue?
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What does the trade-off theory of capital structure allow?
What does the trade-off theory of capital structure allow?
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What does the pecking order theory state?
What does the pecking order theory state?
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What do capital structure arbitrageurs seek to profit from?
What do capital structure arbitrageurs seek to profit from?
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Study Notes
Capital structure determines the mix of external funds (capital) used to finance a business, including shareholders' equity, debt, and preferred stock, and is detailed in the company's balance sheet.
Too much debt in relation to other sources of capital increases financial leverage, which can increase the risk of the company and reduce its financial flexibility, resulting in a greater cost of capital.
Various leverage or gearing ratios are closely watched by financial analysts to assess the amount of debt in a company's capital structure.
An optimal capital structure is one that is consistent with minimizing the cost of debt and equity financing and maximizing the value of the firm.
Once management has decided how much debt should be used in the capital structure, decisions must be made as to the appropriate mix of short-term and long-term debt.
In the event of bankruptcy, the seniority of the capital structure comes into play, with senior debt being paid first.
The Modigliani-Miller theorem argues that, in a perfect market, how a firm is financed is irrelevant to its value.
Trade-off theory of capital structure allows bankruptcy costs to exist as an offset to the benefit of using debt as a tax shield.
Pecking order theory states that companies prioritize their sources of financing, preferring to raise equity as a financing means "of last resort".
Capital structure arbitrageurs seek to profit from differential pricing of various instruments issued by one corporation.
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Description
How much do you know about capital structure? Test your knowledge with this quiz! From the optimal mix of debt and equity financing to the different theories and ratios used to assess a company's capital structure, this quiz will challenge your understanding of this important aspect of corporate finance. Keywords: capital structure, debt, equity financing, financial leverage, Modigliani-Miller theorem, bankruptcy, trade-off theory, pecking order theory, capital structure arbitrageurs.
