Second, we use the partial leverage adjustment regression framework to examine whether target leverage ratios (i.e., desired
long-run leverage ratios) are negatively associated with creditor rights. This framework also controls for unobservable effects in
estimating the effect of creditor rights. Our evidence from both OLS with firm fixed effects and system GMM suggests that target
leverage ratios are negatively associated with creditor rights, reinforcing our conclusion that demand-side forces are significant in
shaping capital structure across countries.