The Investment Performance Of Reverse Leveraged Buyouts

Abstract

This study investigates a previously unexamined potential source of value in LBOs – wealth transfers from new public shareholders to the buyout group when the firm returns to public ownership via a reverse LBO. An examination of the investment performance of 53 reverse leveraged buyout firms finds initial underpricing followed by insignificant returns in the aftermarket. The evidence thus does not support the claim that value is appropriated from the new public shareholders in a reverse leveraged buyout.