Moderating effect of Firm Size on the relationship between Capital structure and Value of Non-Financial firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Abstract

Capital structure is critical in the determination of the survival and the firm values since it aids in describing how their finances are raised through equity, debt or firms combining equity and debt. It is argued that debt use is beneficial provided that the acquisition rates are favorable and the monies are well utilized. Current research aimed at assessing the influence of size on the relationship between capital structure and the value of non- financial firms listed at the NSE. The study was anchored on trade off theory and positivism philosophy. This study utilized panel data of the twenty- nine listed entities. Research relied on secondary data from the published reports which were availed from various websites of the twenty- nine non-financial firms. Collection of data was from 2013 to 2020. Analysis involved descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics were used in the analysis to aid in deep understanding of the specifics of collected data. Prais Winsten Panel regression was utilized in the inferential analysis. The study confirmed that equity ratio and firm value were positively related and statistically significant and the link between debt ratio and value was negative and significant. The study further found that size does not moderate the link between capital structure and value. This study supports the need for injecting more money inform of equity instead of relying heavily on borrowed funds.  Study further recommends that; entities should avoid very high levels of debt since it exposes them to financial distress.

Keywords: Capital structure, Firm Size, Firm value, Nairobi securities exchange