Abstract
This paper explores the effect of dual-class shares on firm performance using a unique law change in Switzerland as a source of exogenous variation. Unlike most of the related literature we do not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach but allow the effect to vary depending on a firm’s need for external finance. Based on nine years panel data of both firms affected and unaffected by the law change, we find that dual-class shares neither harm nor benefit firm performance on average. However, dual-class shares increase firm performance if the firm requires external finance and dual-class shares decrease firm performance if the firm does not require external finance.
Nüesch, Stephan