Business Risk, Industry Affiliation and Capital Structure: Evidence from Nigerian Listed Firms

Abstract

This study demonstrates the extent to which changes in business risk help predict the capital structure choices of Nigerian listed companies. The findings support a U-shaped function with leverage ratio decreasing with earnings volatility, but only up to a cut-off point of 32% per annum. The results are consistent with agency cost models, which predict an escalation in the conflicts between shareholders and firm managers beyond a certain level of volatility with a subsequent increase in the equity risk premium. The expected rise in the cost of equity capital gives debt priority and helps avoid potential underinvestment.