This is a question which is growing in
significance when investors examine the
motivations and performance
expectations of management in publicly
traded companies. Porsche rewards
management on business financial
performance – the numbers found on the
three major financial statements – and
not on the market’s opinion of the
company’s value (share price).
• This is considered as highly controversial
because for the better part of the last 40
years academics have argued that
management needs to share the same
motivations, rewards, and risks as
stockholders do – the share price as core
to investor and management returns.
• But Porsche has seemingly focused on
executing the business with the highest of
regard for the company’s long-term
performance and profitability (much like a
family owned business), the result of
which has been obviously appreciated by
the market.
One key point for class discussion here is whether the use of 3
billion euros to purchase a growing (and in the end controlling)
position in VW was motivated by business needs to family bias?
As the real results continue to roll out, it appears to be more and more of both.