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Founding family ownership, stock market returns, and agency problems

Author

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  • Nicolas Eugster

    (LEPA - Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Physique et Analytique - EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Dušan Isakov

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between founding family ownership and stock market returns. Using the entire population of non-financial firms listed on the Swiss stock market for 2003–2013, we find that the stock returns of family firms are significantly higher than those of non-family firms after adjusting the returns for different firm characteristics and risk factors. Family firms generate an annual abnormal return of 2.8% to 7.1%. We also document that family firms potentially having more agency problems earn higher abnormal returns. Our evidence suggests that outside investors receive a premium for holding shares of these firms as they are exposed to the specific agency problems present in family firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Eugster & Dušan Isakov, 2019. "Founding family ownership, stock market returns, and agency problems," Post-Print hal-02511063, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02511063
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2019.07.020
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    Cited by:

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    2. Martin Huber & Yu‐Chin Hsu & Ying‐Ying Lee & Layal Lettry, 2020. "Direct and indirect effects of continuous treatments based on generalized propensity score weighting," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(7), pages 814-840, November.
    3. Wang, Di & Liu, Guangqiang & Xie, Linlin, 2023. "Can compulsory liability insurance reduce agency costs? Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    4. Philippe Masset & Cédric Poretti & Jean‐Philippe Weisskopf, 2024. "In family we trust—In good and bad times," International Review of Finance, International Review of Finance Ltd., vol. 24(1), pages 128-138, March.
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    7. Martin Tao-Schuchardt & Frederik J. Riar & Nadine Kammerlander, 2023. "Family Firm Value in the Acquisition Context: A Signaling Theory Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1200-1232, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Family firm; Ownership structure; Abnormal returns; Performance; Earnings surprise;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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