Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T07:14:55.726Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Changes in Organizational Structure and Shareholder Wealth: The Case of Limited Partnerships

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

Abstract

This paper analyzes the consequence for shareholders of a change in organizational form, the conversion of a corporation, or the spin-off of a unit into a limited partnership. Theory suggests that, prior to the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the tax benefits of conversion to a limited partnership and the creation of a new entity separate from the parent corporation should have a positive effect on shareholder wealth. On the other hand, the increase in agency costs of such an organizational change should decrease the wealth of shareholders. Empirical results lend support to hypotheses that predict an increase in stock price at the announcement of the conversion, but cannot identify the source of the gain.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © School of Business Administration, University of Washington 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Christensen, D., and Christensen, L.. “Organizational Restructuring, Equity Valuation and Limited Partnerships.” Financial Review, 26 (11 1991), 535546.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Collins, J., and Bey, R.. “Master Limited Partnership: An Alternative to the Corporation.” Financial Management, 15 (Winter 1986), 514.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dodd, P., and Warner, J.. “On Corporate Governance: A Study of Proxy Contests.” Journal of Financial Economics, 11 (04 1983), 410438.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jaffe, J. F.Taxes and the Capital Structure of Partnerships, REITS, and Related Entities.” Journal of Finance, 46 (03 1991), 401407.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jensen, M.Agency Costs of Free Cash Flow, Corporate Finance and Takeovers.” American Economic Review, 76 (05 1986), 323329.Google Scholar
Martin, J., and Kensinger, J.. “An Analysis of the Use of Master Limited Partnerships in Corporate Restructuring: The Case of the Oil and Gas Industry.” Working Paper, Univ. of Texas at Austin (1987).Google Scholar
Martin, J., and Kensinger, J.. “An Economic Analysis of R & D Limited Partnerships.” In Corporate Restructuring, Chew, D. S., ed. New York, NY: Basil Blackwell (1988).Google Scholar
Modigliani, F., and Miller, M.. “The Cost of Capital, Corporation Finance and the Theory of Investment.” American Economic Review, 48 (06 1958), 161297.Google Scholar
Moore, W.; Christensen, D.; and Roenfeldt, R.. “Eqyutt Valuation Effects of Forming Limited Partnerships.” Journal of Financial Economics, 24 (09 1989), 107124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Myers, S., and Majluf, N.. “Corporate Financing and Investment Decisions when Firms Have Information that Investors Do Not Have.” Journal of Financial Economics, 13 (06 1984), 187222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Patell, J.Corporate Forecasts of Earnings per Share and Stock Price Behavior.” Journal of Accounting Research, 14 (Autumn 1976), 246274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schipper, K., and Smith, A.. “A Comparison of Equity Carve-Outs and Seasoned Equity Offerings: Share Price Effects and Corporate Restructuring.” Journal of Financial Economics, 15 (0102 1986), 153187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schipper, K., and Smith, A.. “Equity Carve-Outs.” In Corporate Restructuring, Chew, D. S., ed. New York, NY: Basil Blackwell (1988).Google Scholar
Senate Finance Committee. Tax Reform Act of 1986: General Explanation. Washington, DC: General Accounting Office (05 1986).Google Scholar
Senate Finance Committee. Revenue Bill of 1987. Washington, DC: General Accounting Office (11 1987).Google Scholar
Shaw, W.An Examination of Ex-Dividend Day Stock Price Movements: The Case of Nontaxable Master Limited Partnership Distributions.” Journal of Finance, 46 (06 1991), 755771.Google Scholar
Smith, C. W. Jr, “Investment Banking and the Capital Acquisition Process.” Journal of Financial Economics, 15 (0102 1986), 127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation. General Explanation of the Tax Reform Act. Washington, DC: General Accounting Office (05 1987).Google Scholar
Storer, P.A Guide to the Passive Loss Rule. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall (1988).Google Scholar
Willis, A.A Partnership Taxation. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill (1985).Google Scholar
Windish, D.Investor's Guide to Limited Partnerships. New York, NY: New York Institute of Finance (1988).Google Scholar
Wishon, K., and Roche, R.. “Making the Switch? Corporation to Partnership.” Journal of Accounting, (1987), 9095.Google Scholar