The Determınants of Capıtal Structure: an Empırıcal Study of The Lısted Fırms on Bıst (Borsa Istanbul) Servıce Sector

This research investigates the determinants of the capital structure of firms listed service sector on BIST(Borsa Istanbul) and the adjustment process towards this target. The econometric analysis employs the Generalized Method of Moments estimators (GMM-Sys, GMM difference) techniques that controls for unobserved firm-specific effects and the endogeneity problem. The findings of the paper suggest that firms have target leverage ratios and they adjust to them relatively fast. Consistent with the predictions of capital structure theories and the findings of the empirical literature, the results of this paper suggest that size, assets tangibility, profitability, growth opportunity except earnings volatility have significant effects on the capital structure choice of hotels and restaurants.The capital structure or leverage is measured by total debt ratio. Analysis results indicates that firms with high profits, sizable, high fixed assets ratio and high total sales and more growth opportunities tend to have relatively less debt in their capital structures.