Optimal Diversification: Reconciling Theory and Evidence

João F. Gomes () and Dmitry Livdan
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Dmitry Livdan: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and Bauer College of Business, University of Houston

Journal of Finance, 2004, vol. 59, issue 2, pages 507-535

Abstract: In this paper we show that the main empirical findings about firm diversification and performance are consistent with the maximization of shareholder value. In our model, diversification allows a firm to explore better productive opportunities while taking advantage of synergies. By explicitly linking the diversification strategies of the firm to differences in size and productivity, our model provides a natural laboratory to investigate several aspects of the relationship between diversification and performance. Specifically, we show that our model can rationalize the evidence on the diversification discount (Lang and Stulz (1994)) and the documented relation between diversification and productivity (Schoar (2002)). Copyright 2004 by The American Finance Association.

Date: 2004
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