The Financial and Operating Performance of China's Newly Privatized Firms

This study examines the pre- and post-privatization financial and operating performance of 208 firms privatized in China during the period 1990-97. The full sample results show significant improvements in real output, real assets, and sales efficiency, and significant declines in leverage following privatization, but no significant change in profitability. Further analysis shows that privatized firms experience significant improvements in profitability compared to fully state- owned enterprises during the same period. Firms in which more than 50% voting control is conveyed to private investors via privatization experience significantly greater improvements in profitability, employment, and sales efficiency compared to those that remain under the state’s control. Privatization seems to work in China, especially the more private firms become.