An Analysis of Determinants of Capital Structure of Turkish Firms Based on Turkish Central Bank Industrial Balance Sheets:1996 – 2008

This study investigates capital structure determinants of Turkish firms based on Turkish Central Bank Industrial Balance Sheets survey data set from 1996 to 2008 which is not used before for a capital structure study. We also examine the pecking order and trade-off theories of capital structure and determine which one is consistent with our findings. Our dependent variable is stationarised “total debt to total asset ratio” as a capital structure proxy. Our independent variables are; size, tangibility, profitability, growth opportunities, non-debt tax shield and bankruptcy (financial distress) risks as firm specific determinants. Empirical results imply that non-debt tax shield has negative; but size, tangibility, profitability, growth opportunities and bankruptcy (financial distress) risks has positive relation with capital structure. Our empirical results, broadly support the Trade off Theory.