Theory of Capital Structure - a Review
FRIHET OG MANGFOLD, FESTSSKRIFT TIL ODD, G. Arntzen. L. Fallan & O. Gustafsson, eds., Trondheim: Tapir/TØH, Tapir Academic Press, NO-7005 Trondheim, Norway
41 Pages Posted: 17 Jun 2004 Last revised: 28 Jan 2011
Date Written: January 26, 2011
Abstract
This paper is a review of the central theoretical literature. The most important arguments for what could determine capital structure is the pecking order theory and the static trade off theory. These two theories are reviewed, but neither of them provides a complete description of the situation and why some firms prefer equity and others debt under different circumstances. The paper is ended by a summary where the option price paradigm is proposed as a comprehensible model that can augment most partial arguments. The capital structure and corporate finance literature is filled with different models, but few, if any give a complete picture.
Keywords: Theory, Capital, Structure, Review, static, trade, pecking, order
JEL Classification: G32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation