The Conglomerate Discount: A New Explanation Based on Credit Risk
13 Pages Posted: 9 Jan 2005 Last revised: 26 Mar 2014
Date Written: January 7, 2005
Abstract
We present a simple new explanation for the diversification discount in the valuation of firms. We demonstrate that, ceteris paribus, limited liability of equity holders is sufficient to explain a diversification discount. To derive this result, we use a credit risk model based on the value of the firm's assets. We show that a conglomerate can be regarded as an option on a portfolio of assets. By splitting up the conglomerate, the investor receives a portfolio of options on assets. The conglomerate discount arises because the value of a portfolio of options is always equal to or higher than the value of an option on a portfolio. The magnitude of the conglomerate discount depends on the number of business units and their correlation, as well as their volatility, among other factors.
Keywords: Diversification discount, credit risk
JEL Classification: G12
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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