Effect of privatization on the performance of Spanish companies sold through public offer

Abstract

The effect of privatization on the performance of the Spanish companies that were sold through public offers from 1985 to 2007 is analyzed in terms of mean and median difference assessment. Once considered the sector effect, the analysis reveals a slightly better long term performance of the private companies. However, according to the study, explaining the success of privatization processes seems to require the consideration of some other factors such as exercised government control, presence of foreign investors, competence level or company size.