Analyzing Liability Structure in Shaping Financial Performance

Capital financing plays a crucial role in sustaining the growth potential of pharmaceutical companies, enabling them to expand operations and compete effectively in the market. In the face of a slowing global economy, maintaining solid financial performance across existing business lines becomes increasingly important. This study aims to examine the relationship between capital structure and the financial performance of pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia. The research sample consists of nine publicly listed pharmaceutical firms over the period 2013–2023. The empirical analysis employs three panel data estimation approaches—Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (Pooled OLS), Fixed Effects Model (FEM), and Random Effects Model (REM)—to account for different assumptions about unobserved firm-specific characteristics. Based on the Hausman test, FEM is determined as the most suitable model for the dataset. The estimation results reveal that the Long-term Debt to Total Assets (LDTA) ratio exerts a statistically significant negative effect on Return on Assets (ROA), indicating that a higher proportion of long-term debt tends to reduce profitability. Conversely, the Short-term Debt to Total Assets (SDTA) and Total Debt to Total Equity (TDTE) ratios have positive but statistically insignificant impacts on ROA, suggesting that neither short-term liabilities nor overall leverage significantly influence profitability in the observed period. These results imply that excessive reliance on long-term borrowing can impose interest burdens and financial constraints, thereby weakening performance. Consequently, financial managers in the pharmaceutical sector are encouraged to optimize their financing structure, prioritizing internal funds or short-term financing sources that align with operational needs and market conditions to sustain profitability and ensure long-term competitiveness.