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The profitability of asset sales as an explanation of asset divestitures

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  • Shin, G. Hwan

Abstract

Using Korean fixed asset divestiture data, I extend the investigation of the financing hypothesis of divestitures proposed by Lang et al. (Lang, L., Poulsen, A., Stulz, R., 1995. Asset sales, firm performance, and the agency costs of managerial discretion, Journal of Financial Economics 37, 3.37). In particular, I take into account the profitability of announced asset divestitures and I employ a unique sample constructed to avoid effects that might confound the results. I also take into account the financial condition of the selling firms. The results are consistent with the financing hypothesis proposed by Lang et al. and show that the financing hypothesis of divestitures is robust to controls for the profitability of asset sales and the financial condition of selling firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Shin, G. Hwan, 2008. "The profitability of asset sales as an explanation of asset divestitures," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 555-571, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pacfin:v:16:y:2008:i:5:p:555-571
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    Cited by:

    1. Evzen Kocenda & Jan Hanousek, 2012. "Firm break-up and performance," Economics of Governance, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 121-143, June.
    2. Kyungsuk Lee & Taewoo Roh, 2020. "Proactive Divestiture and Business Innovation: R&D Input and Output Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Evžen Kočenda & Jan Hanousek, 2011. "Vliv rozdělení českých podniků na ziskovost a produktivitu [Effect of the Czech Firms Break-Up on their Profitability and Productivity]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2011(5), pages 579-598.

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