that dividend has a greater influence on firm value for unconstrained firms but
leverage is more influential for constrained firms. Casht is found to be insignificant in
affecting firm value but is valued higher (by about two times) for constrained firms.
NWCt is significant at the 5 percent level for constrained firms but insignificant for
unconstrained firms with the absolute value being higher for constrained firms
compared to unconstrained firms, implying that the contribution of NWC to firm value
is more important and higher for constrained firms compared to unconstrained firms.
7. Discussion of findings
The results of the entire sample are in line with the results of Luo et al. (2009) and
Autukaite and Molay (2011) but contrary to that of Kieschnick et al. (2008). The results
imply that investors prefer firms which follow a more restrictive working capital policy,
hence associate a higher value to firms with lower investment in NWC. For every 1
Ringgit invested in NWC, a drop of 13 cents in firm value is found to occur.
However, according to Fazzari and Petersen (1993), the investment in working
capital is extremely sensitive to financing constraints. From the mean values of both
groups of firms, constrained firms are found to have higher mean values for all
variables (at time t) except for investment in net assets (ΔNetAssetst). This is expected
due to the financing constraints faced by these firms, making it difficult to make
additional investment in assets.
The results of the regression analysis also show that similar to Faulkender and
Wang’s (2006) findings, there are differences between constrained and unconstrained
firms with values being higher for constrained firms generally. The significance of
Earningst for constrained firms only and the significance ΔEarningst+1 for
unconstrained firms implies that given the ease of access to the capital market by
unconstrained firms, the future earnings, which are a result of the firm’s efficient use of
capital, become an important focus. Since constrained firms are having difficulty in
raising funds, their current earnings, which is a source of cash flow, is significant and
valued higher. Current net asset investment (ΔNetAssetst) is significant and is valued
higher for unconstrained firms but not for constrained firms, indicating the importance
of current investment by unconstrained firms. Confirming the result of Faulkender and
Wang (2006), future net asset investment (ΔNetAssetst+1) is significant for both groups
but has a larger impact on the value of constrained firms. This verifies the need for both
types of firms to use the funds that they can raise for investment purposes in order to
generate higher value although the focus for constrained firms seems to be on future,
rather than current, investment.
Changes in future leverage and dividends are valued higher for unconstrained firms.
The mean value for Interestt is found to be significantly lower for constrained firms but
despite lower interest payments, every Ringgit of interest paid is valued higher. Higher
interest payments can mean higher tax shields and hence reduction in amount of tax
paid leads to higher cash flow available to the firm. Higher interest payments can also
be an indication of the signaling theory at work, where these signal a positive future for
the firm. Given the financing constraints faced by constrained firms, their ability to
secure debt may indicate the confidence of these firms with regards to their future since
a firm which is constrained financially will not take on debt unless it is confident of its
ability to repay the debt payments in the future. Hence higher valuation is assigned to
constrained firms.
Given the possible future opportunities, higher dividends on the other hand will only
result in cash outflow and hence dividend payments made by constrained firms are