Ownership structure and cost of equity capital: Tunisian evidence

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the effect of ownership structure on the cost of equity capital in the Tunisian context. Using panel data, the study provides evidence for a negative relationship between ownership concentration and cost of equity capital. However, most ownership composition variables validate the entrenchment effect. Results show an inverted U-shaped relationship between institutional ownership, foreign ownership and cost of equity capital. However, a U-shaped relationship is found between state ownership and the dependent variable. To alleviate endogeneity concerns and establish that the results are robust, the authors re-estimated the regressions using a dynamic approach. It supports the entrenchment effect of ownership concentration. A U-shaped relationship between this variable and the cost of equity capital is confirmed. However, a concave relationship is found when considering ownership composition variables. As for family ownership, the results from static and dynamic approaches are convergent and in favour of entrenchment effects.