a b s t r a c tThis study empirically examines the effects of a regulation change on the structure and governance of leveraged buyouts (LBOs) within the Italian private equity market, whose transactions were only recently legalized. With a new data set covering approximately 85% of the buyout funds active in Italy during the period of 1999-2006, we find that a regulation that prohibits LBOs can reduce their frequency, but does not exclude them altogether. Rather, it inhibits efficient governance and distorts decision making. Overall, the data are consistent with the view that laws prohibiting LBOs result in less efficient LBO arrangements.

Our study provides new evidence on due diligence (DD) and its impact on investee performance.We estimate the economic value of due diligence (DD) in the context of private equity (PE) by investigating the relationship between DD and investee performance, while controlling for endogeneity.With the adoption of a novel and unique dataset, we find evidence highly consistent with the view that a thorough DD is associated with improved future investee performance. We also distinguish the role of different types of DD and show that the DD carried out internally by fund managers has a more pronounced impact on performance. Instead, the DD mainly performed by external agents, such as consultants, lawyers and accountants, gives rise to puzzling results and imperfect matching, highlighting the existence of apparent agency problems.JEL Classification: G23, G24, G28

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This article focuses on the structure, governance, and performance of leveraged buyouts in Italy. It defines the term “private equity” as an expansion financing of existing firms. It notes that Italy has previously experienced periods of exhausting regulation over such transactions. The discussion analyzes the governing and financing behavior used by private equity investors in order to manage investment risks and related agency problems. From there it turns to a study of how venture capitalists affect the governance of their portfolio companies within the private equity market of Italy.

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