Capital Structure and Firm’s Financial Performance: A Study of Sri Lankan Manufacturing Sector

Abstract

This research paper attempts to investigate the impact of capital structure on firm’s financial performance based on the manufacturing companies listed in Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Annual data were collected from published financial statements relating to 20 sample companies selected using systematic sampling technique operating in manufacturing industry. Descriptive statistics, Correlation and Regression analyses were used as statistical tests to reveal the relationship and the association between the variables. Debt to Equity (DE) and Debt to Total Assets (DT) ratios were used as proxies for capital structure while Gross Profit Margin (GPM), Net Profit Margin (NPM), Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) were used as proxies for financial performance. The results confirm that only ROCE is positively and significantly related with both DE and DT while there is a negative correlation between GPM, NPM and ROA with DE and DT. In conclusion, capital structure is not a major determinant factor affecting the firm’s financial performance where it’s evident that there is no significant association between capital structure components and firm’s financial performance. The results are in support of some literature and are contradictory with some as well.