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Ultimate ownership, crash risk, and split share structure reform in China

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  • Liang, Quanxi
  • Li, Donghui
  • Gao, Wenlian

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between ultimate ownership and stock price crash risk for Chinese firms and the impact on this relationship of the implementation of the split share structure reform, which rendered previously non-tradable shares freely tradable. We find that government-controlled firms, especially local ones, have a significantly higher crash risk than privately controlled firms. After the reform, crash risk of all firms decreases significantly, with a greater risk reduction for privately controlled firms than for government-controlled firms. Further evidence demonstrates that government-controlled firms with stronger political incentives tend to have higher crash risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang, Quanxi & Li, Donghui & Gao, Wenlian, 2020. "Ultimate ownership, crash risk, and split share structure reform in China," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:113:y:2020:i:c:s0378426620300182
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2020.105751
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crash risk; Government control; Split share structure reform; Political connections;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F30 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - General
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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