Equity and Debts on Financial Performance of Listed Consumer Goods Sector in Nigeria

The study examined the effect of equity and debts on the financial performance of the listed consumer goods sector in Nigeria for eleven years (2011 – 2021). Data from the published records of 16 listed companies in the consumer goods sector were used. The dependent variable was proxied by Market price per share (MPS) and return on assets (ROA) while equity and debts were proxied by equity-to-asset ratio, short-term debt-to-asset ratio, and long-term debt-to-asset ratio as independent variables. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (panel regression with fixed effects) at α=0.05 level of significance. The results had a significant effect on equity and debt on MPS (Adj. R2 = 0.0708, p < 0.05) and ROA (Adj. R2 = 0.108, p < 0.05). The study concluded that equity and debts affected the financial performance of companies listed in the Nigerian consumer goods sector. The study recommended that managers of listed consumer goods companies should pay attention to funding management, especially equity funds and short-term debt to improve their profitability for sustainable growth.