• 79% say they failed to meet price expectations in their most recent divestiture 
• 78% say they held onto assets too long, an all-time high
• 76% expect the continued effects of the pandemic to accelerate divestment plans

Despite an anticipated rebound in corporate divestment activity, global executives admit that realizing the benefits of the divestments they pursue has been challenging, according to the EY 2021 Global Corporate Divestment Study.

Nearly 8 out of 10 respondents (79%) say that they failed to meet price expectations in their most recent divestiture. At the same time, more than three-quarters (77%) of respondents say that shortcomings in portfolio or strategic reviews have resulted in failure to achieve intended divestment results. In addition, 56% of respondents say that their most recent divestment did not generate the valuation multiple impact for RemainCo that they had planned.

The annual survey of more than 1,000 global C-level executives shows more companies than ever (78%) in the study’s nine year history hold onto businesses that, once critical to a portfolio, are now an unnecessary draw on resources and utilization of capital that could be better deployed elsewhere.

Despite these challenges, as companies face tougher capital allocation decisions in a disrupted business environment, a majority of respondents (76%) expect the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate divestment plans, with 56% planning to initiate their next divestment within two years, taking advantage of the opportunities provided by a robust M&A market.  

ESG, technology and returns to drive divestment activity

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are playing an increasing role in driving divestment activity. Nearly half (46%) of sellers say ESG issues directly influence their divestment plans, with ESG being a much bigger factor in Asia-Pacific (84%) than in EMEA (47%) and the Americas (14%). These findings align with M&A data for Q1 2021 that shows ESG and renewables related deal values in the first quarter alone being three times higher than in the whole of 2020. Regulatory changes that require companies to reduce their carbon footprint might factor more heavily into divestment decisions in Europe, while companies in the Americas might ponder the impact on management and workforce diversity, when carving out or spinning off a business.

The EY survey also found that nearly all company respondents (94%) confirm that changes to the technology landscape are directly influencing divestment plans, up from 59% before the COVID-19 pandemic. Two-thirds (66%) say their most recent divestment was triggered by suboptimal returns in the divested business. Funds raised by divestment have flowed to technologies that support core capabilities (79%) and new markets, products, or geographies that better position RemainCo (65%).

Aligning divestments with strategic imperative key to long-term value creation

Increasingly, CEOs need to determine which businesses no longer help drive the company’s strategy by taking a broad view on how it generates long-term value for stakeholders, yet 59% of CEO’s acknowledge they should provide better guidance as to what businesses are core vs non-core and nearly half (44%) of respondents say they have difficulty explaining the reasoning for divestments to the board and key stakeholders. At the same time, only 37% consider alignment to the company vision or mission a factor in identifying divestments.

Commenting on the findings, Stelios Demetriou, Partner and Head of Strategy and Transactions Services at EY Cyprus, said: “The pandemic has reinforced the importance of long-term value creation as a key element of corporate strategy. In this context, divestment decisions must serve the company’s strategy, enable its transformation and create long-term value, rather than just serve short-term financial objectives. Moreover, proceeds from divestments should be invested in technology or capabilities strengthening the company’s competitive advantage. These considerations need to be explained to employees, customers and investors so that they understand and share the company’s strategy.”