Advantages and Disadvantages of Holding Company
What is a Holding Company?
Holding company as the name suggests holds the stocks of another company. Such a company does
not usually carry any traditional business activities, such as manufacturing or offering services.
Rather, it owns enough assets or equity of other companies to hold voting power or influence their
policies and management decisions.
Another name for a holding company is a parent company. And, the company that parent company
control is an operating company or subsidiary.
Table of Contents
What is a Holding Company?
How does a Holding Company Make Money?
Advantages of Holding Company
Reduction of Risk
Asset Protection
Tax Benefits
Economies of Scale
Gain Competitive Edge
Limit of Investment
Easy to Form
Disadvantages of Holding Company
Reduces Transparency
Management Challenges
Personal over Professional Gains
Threat of Monopoly
Not Easy to Sell Shares
Require Massive Capital
Final Words
Since holding companies do not usually offer any product or services, its objective is to control
operating companies, and benefit from them. Apart from shares, holding companies can own the
rights to the business, real estate and more of operating companies.
How does a Holding Company Make Money?
As said above, holding companies do not usually carry usual business activities. So, a question that
arises here is how holding companies make money. The answer to this is simple; it makes money
from the operating companies. It makes money from operating companies in three ways;
Interest, dividend, or profit earned from the subsidiaries.
Any service it may offer to the operating company.
From the sale and purchase of assets or stock of the subsidiaries.
All such things are decided beforehand, like profit sharing, cost of service and more. Both the
companies sign agreement that includes all these things and also the budget of the operating
company. Primarily, this budget allocation is what helps holding companies to evaluate the
performance of the subsidiaries.
Advantages of Holding Company
There are various advantages of a holding companies such as providing asset protection, risk
reduction and so on. Let’s discuss these and other advantages in detail.
Reduction of Risk
Big corporations prefer a holding company structure. Such a structure limits the risk as the holding
company can’t be held responsible for the losses of operating companies. For example, if an
operating company files for a bankruptcy, then the holding company may face financial challenges.
But, creditors and courts can’t hold holding companies responsible. Moreover, it is seen as a distinct
entity from the operating company, and thus, can’t be legally held responsible for the losses and
debts.
Asset Protection
Since the ownership of assets is with the holding company and not the operating company, the
assets are safe in case of insolvency. Holding companies usually keep the ownership of assets,
intellectual property and more. This works like insulation for the company, in case, the things go
wrong. This does not mean that the holding company is safe from the negative financial impact on
the operating company. If operating company is financially in trouble, it will reflect on the holding
company as well. However, the holding company would be safe from any legal proceedings against
it. But, there could be instances where the holding company is held responsible for the action taken
by the operating company.
Tax Benefits
Holding company helps the operating company to bring down the overall amount of tax.
Management can decide to create a holding company overseas where the corporate tax is low. This
way profit of operating companies could be transferred to tax heavens, resulting in tax savings.
Economies of Scale
According to the experts, holding companies can also be helpful in building economies of scale in
operations. There might more than more than one company under a holding company. In such
cases, it becomes possible to get huge discounts and improved credit terms as the company buys in
bulk.
Gain Competitive Edge
The relation between the holding and operating company is at par to the strategic partnership. Since
resources of both companies come together, it helps operating company to get an edge over others
in the industry.
Limit of Investment
There is a benefit for the investors as well. Equity investors have the freedom to select the company
in which they want to invest in. If there is one big organization, an investor would be putting money
in all the verticals, whether or not they like it. However, with a holding company, it becomes possible
for the investor to invest in the company of their choice.
Easy to Form
All you had to do is incorporate your business. After incorporation, you just need to buy the shares
of the companies you want. You do not need the approval of the shareholders of the companies in
which you are investing as you are not going for a full takeover. One good example of a holding
company is Berkshire Hathaway, which owns a significant amount of shares in Apple, Bank of
America, Coca-Cola and more.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Holding Company
Disadvantages of Holding Company
Reduces Transparency
Holding companies usually do not report on the internal management and operation of the
companies. Since, holding companies are responsible to their shareholders, thus, they only convey
about dividends they get from operating companies. Many a times, consumers invest in the
companies that are partially or wholly owned by the holding companies. Therefore, the lack of
transparency makes it difficult for them to make an informed decision.
Management Challenges
Holding companies usually prefer influencing the policies and management decision of the operating
companies. This often results in a management conflict if the operating company does not agree
with the decision of the parent company.
Personal over Professional Gains
Management of the holding company might use critical information from the subsidiary companies
in their favor. This could lead to various speculative activities, which would eventually be bad for the
investors.
Threat of Monopoly
A company that keeps on acquiring other organizations might eventually end up creating a
monopolistic structure. Although not necessary, these holding companies can reduce the
competition thereby resulting in price monopoly.
Not Easy to Sell Shares
Sometime, holding companies may find it difficult to sell the shares of subsidiaries. This forces the
parent company to hold onto the shares even if they don’t want to. It eventually results in losses for
the company.
Require Massive Capital
We said above that it is easy to form a holding company. Yes, it is very easy, but only if you have a
big capital backup. You need money it buy shares in large quantities.
Final Words
Despite the drawbacks, holding companies is a sound business model. However, it is suited only for
those with tons of industry and investing experience, along with massive capital backup.1,21,2
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March 22, 2021
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Sanjay Bulaki Borad
Sanjay Bulaki Borad
Sanjay Borad is the founder & CEO of eFinanceManagement. He is passionate about keeping and
making things simple and easy. Running this blog since 2009 and trying to explain "Financial
Management Concepts in Layman's Terms".
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