This study suggests the preponderance of the pecking order theory over the trade-off theory when there are greater problems of information asymmetry, which is more usual in small-sized firms. The results show that debt level has an inverse relationship with non-debt tax shield and direct...

We test the assumptions of trade-off theory (TOT) and pecking order theory (POT) regarding corporate leverage. The dependent variable being the debt ratio, we apply a linear model upon a balanced panel data-set of 2,370 French SMEs over the period 2002 - 2010. In accordance to TOT, trade credit...

We identify firms according to two life cycle stages, namely growth and maturity, and test the pecking order theory of financing. We find a strong maturity effect, i.e. the pecking order theory describes the financing behavior of mature firms better than growth firms. Our findings show that firm...

We examine the central prediction of the pecking order theory of financing among firms in two distinct life cycle stages, namely growth and maturity. We find that within a life cycle stage, where levels of debt capacity and external financing needs are more homogeneous, and after sufficiently...