Financial Structure Analysis of Publicly Held Lodging Companies: An International Comparison

The aim of this study is to analyze financial structure and preference of lodging companies that issues traded in European and Turkish stock markets by using ratio analysis technique. In this context, statements of financial positions of 51 lodging companies from European stock markets and 12 lodging companies from Borsa Istanbul used and calculated 10 financial structure ratios for each company between 2011-2012-2013 years. In the results of ratio analysis, it is determined that Turkish lodging companies use mainly equity while European lodging companies prefer liabilities and debt to finance their activities. In respect to maturity of liabilities it is determined that European lodging companies prefer long term debt while Turkish lodging companies use short term liabilities. Finally, it is determined that European lodging companies use leasing but no Turkish lodging companies to choose leasing.