Why Do Controlling Families of Public Firms Sell Their Remaining Ownership Stake?

51 Pages Posted: 10 Jun 2005

See all articles by Sandy Klasa

Sandy Klasa

University of Arizona - Department of Finance

Abstract

I investigate what leads controlling families of publicly traded firms to sell their remaining ownership stake. The sale of a controlling stake is best explained in the context of theories of the firm related to optimal risk-bearing, the separation of ownership and management expertise, the CEO succession process, and the monitoring provided by outside blockholders. A timing explanation is only marginally supported. The sale of a controlling stake is not explained by insufficient financial resources to fully invest in growth opportunities. My study offers insights into the final stage of the process in which entrepreneurs sequentially sell their firm to outside parties and also identifies the nature of costs of concentrated ownership.

Keywords: Ownership structure, capital structure, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions

JEL Classification: G31, G32, G34

Suggested Citation

Klasa, Sandy, Why Do Controlling Families of Public Firms Sell Their Remaining Ownership Stake?. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=740105

Sandy Klasa (Contact Author)

University of Arizona - Department of Finance ( email )

McClelland Hall
P.O. Box 210108
Tucson, AZ 85721-0108
United States
520-621-8761 (Phone)

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