Does Size Matter in Firm Performance? Evidence from US Public Firms

This paper reexamines the determinants of firm performance and, in particular, the role that firm size plays in profitability. A fixed-effects dynamic panel data model for over 7,000 US publicly-held firms during the period 1987-2006 provides evidence that profit rates are positively correlated with firm size in a non-linear manner, holding an array of firm- and industry-specific characteristics constant. In addition, industry-specific fixed effects play a negligible role in the presence of firm-specific fixed effects.