Law, Tak Yan. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-39). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Brief Overview --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Determinants of the Target Debt Ratio --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3 --- Adjustments Toward the Target Ratio --- p.9 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Methodology --- p.12 / Chapter 3.1 --- Estimation of the Target Leverage Ratio --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2 --- Factors affecting the Long-term Adjustment --- p.16 / Chapter 3.3 --- Persistence and Reversal of Effects --- p.19 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Expected Signs of Variables --- p.22 / Chapter 4.1 --- Estimation of the Target Ratio --- p.22 / Chapter 4.2 --- Effects of Firm Histories --- p.24 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Pecking order theory --- p.24 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Tradeoff theory --- p.25 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Market Timing Theory --- p.25 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Data --- p.27 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Empirical Findings --- p.29 / Chapter 6.1 --- Estimation of the Target Ratio --- p.29 / Chapter 6.2 --- Factors Affecting the Long-term Adjustment --- p.31 / Chapter 6.3 --- Persistence of the Effects --- p.33 / Chapter 6.4 --- Reversal of the Effects --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 7. --- Concluding Remarks --- p.37 / References --- p.38 / Tables --- p.40