A Comparative Analysis of Takeovers of Single and Dual Class Firms

This paper analyzes takeovers of dual class companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange over the period 1976 to 1989. It finds support for the hypothesis that despite the evidence that restricted shares sell at a discount compared to superior voting shares, takeover returns are the same for both classes of shares. Secondly, it tests the hypothesis that the classification of common equity into two classes confers differential takeover value on controlling shareholders and find that superior voting shares of dual class firms experience higher returns during takeovers than do shares of single class firms.