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Corporate divestitures: Spin-offs vs. sell-offs

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  • Prezas, Alexandros P.
  • Simonyan, Karen
Abstract
We investigate the determinants of the choice between two forms of corporate divestitures—spin-offs versus sell-offs. We hypothesize that the choice is driven by the pre-divestiture market valuation of divesting firms relative to their intrinsic value, the pre-divestiture performance of the assets being divested relative to their full potential, and the prevailing degree of investor optimism or pessimism about the market at the time of divestiture. Our hypotheses generate testable predictions regarding the announcement effects of divestitures and the post-divestiture operating performance of divesting firms. Our empirical findings using a sample of 378 spin-offs and 4192 sell-offs from 1980 to 2011 are as follows. First, firms with lower market valuations relative to their intrinsic value are more likely to spin off their assets. Second, assets which underperform relative to their full potential are more likely to be sold off. Third, spin-offs are more likely during periods of investor optimism. Fourth, spin-offs are associated with more positive announcement effects than sell-offs. Finally, firms which sell off their assets exhibit better post-divesture long-term operating and stock return performance compared to those which spin off their assets.

Suggested Citation

  • Prezas, Alexandros P. & Simonyan, Karen, 2015. "Corporate divestitures: Spin-offs vs. sell-offs," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 83-107.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:34:y:2015:i:c:p:83-107
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2015.07.017
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    3. Ozbek, O. Volkan, 2021. "Market Performance of Spun-Off Subsidiaries: Effects of Board Independence and Directors’ Industry Experience," American Business Review, Pompea College of Business, University of New Haven, vol. 24(1), pages 249-267, May.
    4. Dasilas, Apostolos & Leventis, Stergios, 2018. "The performance of European equity carve-outs," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 121-135.
    5. James E. Owers & Bruno S. Sergi, 2021. "The ongoing contributions of spin-off research and practice to understanding corporate restructuring and wealth creation: $100 billion in 1 decade," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, December.
    6. Nguyen, Giang & Vu, Le, 2018. "Asset sales and subsequent acquisitions," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 87-97.
    7. Mashwani, Asad Iqbal & Dereeper, Sébastien & Dowling, Michael & Aziz, Saqib, 2020. "Learning the wealth effects from equity carve-outs," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 33(C).
    8. Boulifa, Hichem & Uchida, Konari, 2022. "Like father, like son: Who creates listed subsidiaries?," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    9. Chang, Shih-Chung & Han, Nan-Wei, 2023. "Spin-offs or sell-offs: The dynamics of corporate divestitures," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate divestitures; Spin-offs; Asset sell-offs; Corporate restructuring;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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