Using unique mutual fund data and focusing on asset sales conducted by asset
management companies, we document that at the product level there is performance
improvement after asset sales. We assess managerial efficiency when a fund transitions
from an inefficient diversified seller to a more efficient focused acquire. This result
contributes to the literature in two ways. First, we find that sellers of these mutual fund
assets are mainly diversified financial firms. Funds under the management of these
conglomerates experience poor performance during the period prior to asset sales. Second,
acquirers are generally highly focused mutual fund companies. The funds acquired by
these focused entities experience significant improvement in both fund performance and
operational efficiency. The evidence indicates that (1) organizational structure (focus), (2)
economies of scale, (3) strengthened monitoring, and (4) managerial ownership
contribute to the superior performance and greater operating efficiency that occur
subsequent to asset sales in the mutual fund industry