Do Buyouts by Private Equity Funds Enhance Firm Value in Japan? Tsung-ming Yeh Akita International University Japan
[email protected] Tel: 81(0)18-834-3222 Fax: 81(0)18-834-3222 1 Do Buyouts by Private Equity Funds Enhance Firm Value in Japan? Abstract This study aims to investigate the role and the effect of private equity funds in the setting of Japanese corporate buyouts. The empirical tests show that the announcement of takeovers of Japanese publicly listed firms by buyout funds is associated with significantly positive stock market reaction; that the abnormal returns are positively related with, but not simply driven by, the expected takeover premiums. A follow-up examination reveals that for those buyouts that were actually completed, 30 cases have seen the acquiring funds exiting out of their investments, with an average investment length of 33 months. The positive abnormal returns are associated with some improvement in the operating performance, as far as the exit-group firms are concerned. The results suggest that the sources of value-enhancement can be attributed to more efficient use of asset and reduction of operating costs. Meanwhile, there was no evidence indicating that the acquired firms cut back on their research and development, capital investments, and employee wage and growth. Further examination of the exit-group firms after the exit shows no deterioration in the operating performance. While follow-up studies are necessary on those buyouts still in the midst of commitment by the private equity funds, in all, the results in this study suggest that private equity funds can enhance firm value by means of strengthened monitoring, better-aligned incentives, and more efficient operational management.