Can the firm's financing decisions affect its profitability?

Can the firm's financing decisions affect its profitability?
Yes, a firm's financing decisions can play a major role in determining its profitability.

A firm can opt for different methods of financing, i.e. raising money for business needs. For example, finance may be required to invest in a building or machinery or materials. Finance may also be needed for ongoing business expenses like salaries or rent or telecom costs.

There are different ways to arrange for these funds for the firm, and funds cost money. If the firm borrows the funds from a bank, then it incurs an expenditure which is the interest charged by the bank. This expense is reduced from profit, so profitability reduces.

Another way of raising funds is to sell shares, i.e. the equity of the company. The owners of the shares then become part owners of the company, and can also exercise management control over the company. In this way, distribution of equity can also affect profitability.