Divestiture
Definition:
Divestiture is the process of a company selling a subsidiary or asset to another company. It is typically used to reduce the company’s size, eliminate non-core businesses, or raise capital.
Reasons for Divestiture:
- To focus on core businesses: Companies may divest assets that are not core to their primary operations, allowing them to concentrate resources on their main businesses.
- To raise capital: Divestiture can generate cash flow, which can be used for debt reduction, expansion, or other investments.
- To reduce debt: Companies may divest assets to reduce their debt burden.
- To improve operational efficiency: Divesting businesses that are not profitable can streamline operations and improve overall efficiency.
- To exit a market: Companies may divest assets to exit a particular market or industry.
Types of Divestiture:
- Partial divestiture: Sale of a portion of a subsidiary or asset.
- Complete divestiture: Sale of the entire subsidiary or asset.
- Spin-off: Creation of a new company by extracting a subsidiary or asset from the parent company.
Process of Divestiture:
- Identifying potential buyers: Companies identify potential buyers who are interested in the asset or subsidiary.
- Negotiation: The company and buyer negotiate the terms of the divestiture.
- Due diligence: The buyer conducts due diligence to assess the value and condition of the asset or subsidiary.
- Finalization: The divestiture is finalized with the signing of a binding agreement.
Examples:
- A company may divest a subsidiary that is not profitable.
- A company may divest a factory to reduce debt.
- A company may spin off a division to create a new company.
Benefits of Divestiture:
- Increased focus on core businesses
- Improved financial performance
- Reduced debt
- Increased liquidity
- Opportunity to exit unwanted markets
FAQs
What does it mean to divest something?
Divesting means selling or removing an asset or business unit to refocus or cut costs.
What is divesting in business?
In business, divesting is the process of selling off parts of a company to improve financials or focus on core areas.
What is a divestiture?
A divestiture is the sale or separation of part of a business, often to streamline or reorganize.
What are the types of divestitures?
The main types are asset sales, spinoffs, equity carve-outs, and liquidation.
Can you give an example of a divestment strategy?
A company selling a non-core division to concentrate on its main business is an example of divestment.