CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND PROFITABILITY IN EMERGING MARKET NEW VENTURES: INSIGHTS FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

New ventures, which are essential in driving economic development, face a universal challenge of accessing finance and deciding on a suitable capital structure. In developing countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, studying the impact of capital structure on profitability levels of new ventures is especially critical, given that current literature has primarily focused on established firms. To fill this gap, this study examined the existing capital structure of 43 new ventures in Trinidad and Tobago, testing the effects of different financing sources on net profit margins. The findings revealed that owners' savings and retained earnings had a positive impact on net profit margins, while short-term loans, long-term loans, and informal investor finance had no significant effect. Moreover, this study expanded upon existing theories, particularly the pecking order theory, by testing it in the context of new ventures, rather than mature firms. The implications of this study are significant to financial managers in charge of decision-making for new ventures. It suggests the importance of owners' savings and retained earnings in financing new ventures. Moreover, the findings suggest that new ventures in Trinidad and Tobago may benefit from pursuing funding options that align with the pecking order theory. Overall, this research emphasizes the need to consider the unique financial challenges facing new ventures when making decisions regarding their capital structure.