Received theories, namely optimal capital structure, pecking order and signalling, suggest a
likely change in the value of a firm at the time financing decisions are disclosed to the market.
This paper reports new findings of such a significant change in a firm’s value when relative
capital structure changes by 10-40 per cent. Relative capital structure is the change in a firm’s
capital structure relative to its industry median ratio. Abnormal return to a firm adjusting its
capital structure in value-enhancing financing decisions closer to the industry ratio is positive
compared to the abnormal returns when the ratio is adjusted away from industry median.
These findings, consistent with theories, would appear to suggest that the industry relative
ratio is a likely surrogate for optimal capital structure decisions for Australian firms.