THE EFFECT OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON MANUFACTURING FIRMS PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA
Abstract:The main objective of this study was to
examine the effect of capital structure on firm’s performance in Nigeria, using
correlation and regression analysis. The study revealed that capital structure
exert positive effect on profitability in Nigerian manufacturing firms, this
implies that for a percentage increase in capital structure lead to 0.9 percent
increased profitability. The study also revealed that capital structure exerts
negatives effect on liquidity in Nigerian manufacturing firms; this implies
that for a percentage decrease in capital structure lead to 20 percent
decreased liquidity. The study concludes that capital structure has positive
effect on firms’ performance in selected Nigerian manufacturing firms during
the reviewed period. The study also revealed that capital structure exerts
negatives effect on liquidity in Nigerian manufacturing firms; this implies
that for a percentage decrease in capital structure lead to 20 percent
decreased liquidity. The study concludes that Nigeria Manufacturing companies
should relying less on liquidity and more on equity as a source of finance to
boost their firm performance. The result the study recommended that
Manufacturing firms should chose the most optimal capital structure, as it is
the profitability that best maximizes firms value, also Manufacturing firms
should encourage the use of long term debt in there capital structure since it
has positive impact.