Asset Sales: Their Role in Restructuring and Financing Firms

In a new world characterized by more frequent and rich flows of information, with more efficient and plenty of available external capital, how will the – simultaneous – investment and divestment decisions be affected? This book thoroughly covers the main features and relevance of asset sales as an integral component of many companies’ growth strategies in the current and continually evolving corporate finance eco-system.

After an introductory section on the relevance of asset sales in corporations (both non-financial and financial), it discusses the corporate asset market and the mechanisms of asset sale transactions. The focus then turns to the theory of finance in asset sales (the efficiency and financing theory) and the extensive empirical literature now available. In light of recent and rapid technological and digital advances, a concluding section presents new perspectives on analyzing asset sales transactions. Chiefly intended as a primer for PhD students and academics, the book offers roadmaps for the empirical research landscape and suggests future research directions.

About the Authors

Claudia Curi is a Senior Assistant Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Management at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy). Prior to joining unibz, she was a research economist at the Central Bank of Luxembourg and a postdoc researcher at the Luxembourg School of Finance. Her research focuses on corporate finance and financial intermediation.

Maurizio Murgia is a Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Management at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy). His has held academic appointments at Cass Business School, City University of London (UK), and the Department of Business at the University of Pavia (Italy). His research focuses on corporate finance and financial markets.