Keywords

diversification discount, expected returns, skewness

Abstract

A diversified firm can trade at a discount to a matched portfolio of single-segment firms if the diversified firm has either lower expected cash flows or higher expected returns than the single-segment firms. We study whether firms with diversification discounts have higher expected returns in order to compensate investors for offering less upside potential (or skewness exposure) than focused firms. Our empirical tests support this hypothesis. First, we find that focused firms offer greater skewness exposure than diversified firms. Second, we find that diversified firms have significantly larger discounts when the diversified firm offers less skewness relative to matched single-segment firms. Finally, we find that up to 53% of the excess returns received on diversification-discount firms relative to diversification-premium firms can be explained by differences in exposure to skewness.

Original Publication Citation

“Why Do Firms With Diversification Discounts Have Higher Expected Returns?” (with Todd Mitton), 2010, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 45:6, 1367-1390.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2008

Publisher

Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Finance

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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