The influence of cash flow volatility on capital structure and the use of debt of different maturities

The empirical literature on the relationship between capital structure and firm cash flow volatility is inconclusive. We explore this relationship using several measures of a firm's cash flow volatility and econometric methods that account for the non-linear relationship of proportional variables. Overall, our evidence indicates that ceteris paribus a one standard deviation increase from the mean of cash flow volatility implies an approximately 24% decrease in the long-term debt ratio, a 26% decrease in probability of holding debt with over 10years to maturity, and a 39% increase in the probability of holding neither short nor long term debt. •Test the relationship between cash flow volatility and a firm’s use of debt.•A one standard deviation increase from the mean of cash flow volatility implies:•A 24% decrease in the long-term debt ratio,•A 39% increase in the probability of holding zero short or long term debt, and•A 26% decrease in the probability of holding debt with over ten years to maturity.