Working Capital Management, Firms- Performance and Market Valuation in Nigeria

This study examines the impact of working capital management on firms’ performance and market value of the firms in Nigeria. A sample of fifty four non-financial quoted firms in Nigeria listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange was used for this study. Data were collected from annual reports of the sampled firms for the period 1995-2009. This result shows there is a significant negative relationship between cash conversion cycle and market valuation and firm’s performance. It also shows that debt ratio is positively related to market valuation and negatively related firm’s performance. The findings confirm that there is a significant relationship between Market valuation, profitability and working capital component in line with previous studies. This mean that Nigeria firms should ensure adequate management of working capital especially cash conversion cycle components of account receivables, account payables and inventories, as efficiency working capital management is expected to contribute positively to the firms’ market value. Keywords—Cash Conversion Cycle, Firms’ Performance, Market Valuation, Working Capital Management