The effect of executive stock option delta and vega on the spin-off decision

Mieszko Mazur (1) , Galla Salganik-Shoshan

1 LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221

We investigate the role of CEO incentives around asset restructuring known as corporate spin-off. More specifically, we focus on executive stock option delta and vega vis-à-vis changes in firm value and firm riskiness in response to the corporate spin-off. Controlling for self-selection of the spin-off decision, we find that executive stock option vega is positively related to changes in firm value as well as changes in firm risk. Conversely, we find that executive stock option delta is negatively related to changes in firm value and firm risk. Finally, we estimate the Fazzari et al. (1988) investment model and show that at the business segment level, CEO incentives are positively linked to capital spending. Overall, our study extends the current literature by documenting the role of executive stock option delta and vega in the context of corporate spin-offs.

Mots clés: Spin-off; Divestiture; Stock option delta; Stock option vega; Executive compensation; Firm risk; Firm value

Domaines: Sciences de l'Homme et Société; Gestion et management

Mieszko Mazur, Galla Salganik-Shoshan. The effect of executive stock option delta and vega on the spin-off decision. Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 2018, ⟨10.1016/j.qref.2018.11.003⟩. ⟨hal-02116144⟩