The Impact of Stock Market Listing on the Financial Performance of Companies within the Rwanda Stock Exchange (RSE)

Abstract

The study, titled Stock Market Listing and Company Performance in Rwanda aimed to explore the connection between a company's stock market listing and its performance. Examined within were firms listed in the Rwanda Stock Exchange, specifically Bralirwa, KCB, and BK. Utilizing a quantitative research design, the study relied solely on secondary data, primarily the financial statements of the three companies that operated in Rwanda between 2008 and 2015. The scope included BK, Bralirwa, and KCB. Data gathered from 2010 to 2012 was structured in tables, with financial ratios computed and subsequent analysis conducted using SPSS to ascertain the relationship between stock listing and financial performance. The results demonstrated a positive yet statistically insignificant relationship between stock listing and the financial performance of the listed firms. Notably, the correlation between financial leverage and financial performance lacked statistical significance (R = 0.303, P > 0.01) and showed a negative correlation with market ratio (0.582, P > 0.01). Recommendations included a call for improved liquidity management, especially in working capital for firms like BK, to address the impact on liquidity levels while maintaining financial stability. Stakeholders were encouraged to recognize the linkage between stock listing and financial performance and adopt suitable measures to assess and analyze the financial status of companies. Moreover, the study revealed that companies in Rwanda tend to rely more on short-term debt than long-term debt, potentially due to the underdeveloped bonds market in the country. Liquidity ratios exhibited a negative relationship with financial leverage, indicating that highly profitable and well-performing companies in Rwanda tend to have less debt and rely more on internal financing sources, aligning with the pecking order theory. Furthermore, the study emphasized considering the market value of capital structure in evaluating stock listing, given its stronger connection to financial performance compared to the book value. Keywords: Stock Market, Listing, Performance of Companies, Rwanda Stock Exchange, Liquidity.