The relationship between capital structure and performance of Vietnamese firms in agricultural sector

This study examines the capital structure and firm’s performance of Vietnamese agricultural firms for the period from 2010 to 2014. In addition, this study also examines the relationship between capital structure and the firm's performance. Capital structure is represented by four variables, which are (i) short term debt to total assets, (ii) long term debt to total assets, (iii) total debt to total assets and (iv) total debt to total equity. Firm's performance is represented by five variables, which are (i) return on asset, (ii) return on equity, (iii) gross profit margin, (iv) earnings per share and (v) price earnings ratio. This study uses secondary data obtained from 51 agricultural firms listed on the Hanoi Stock Exchange and the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange. The correlation coefficients between the variables of capital structure and firm’s performance indicate there is a relationship between capital structure and firm’s performance. Specifically, the findings of the study show that capital structure has positive relationships with return on equity and price earnings ratio but negative relationship with return on assets, gross profit margin and earnings per share