The impact of metals’ prices on the capital structure of mining and metallurgic firms in Latin America (2004-2014)

Abstract

This work examines the short and medium-term effects of the international prices of several mineral (gold, silver copper, zinc) and metallurgic products (aluminum, steel), on the capital structure of mining and metallurgic companies listed in the stock markets of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Peru. The study uses quarterly data for the period 2000-2014. Consistent with the Dynamic Pecking Order theory, the findings confirm that profitability and the price of the products relate negatively with the firms’ financial leverage.