Impact of Corporate Governance on the Cost of Capital: Empirical Evidence from the Non-Financial Sector of Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose: The study looked at the effect of corporate governance on the cost of capital of firms in Pakistan's non-financial sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study sample is comprised of balanced data set of 175 non-financial companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange between 2008 and 2018. The study used the dynamic panel GMM estimator technique. Findings: The findings revealed that an increase in the number of directors, board independence, CEO duality, and inflation negatively influence the cost of capital. On the other hand, the increase in institutional holdings increased the cost of capital. In addition, it is discovered that board committees, political connections, and economic growth do not affect the cost of capital Implications/Originality/Value: When board size, CEO duality, board independence, and inflation increased, the cost of capital decreased in Pakistan's non-financial sector. Furthermore, board committees, political connections, company leverage, and economic growth do not affect the cost of capital in Pakistan's non-financial sector. In comparison, an increase in institutional shareholding increased the cost of capital in Pakistan's non-financial sector.