Singapores Temasek Holdings Control Mechanisms and the Performance of the Firms Controlled by Temasek

Abstract

This paper examines the control mechanisms of Singapore's Temasek Holdings and the performance of the firms controlled by Temasek. The data were hand-collected from a wide range of data sources and the sample period consists of five years. Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis is applied with Huber-White standard errors. This study finds that Temasek Holdings adopts a series of control mechanism, and these mechanisms destroy valuation. This paper also finds that Temasek Holdings’ listed block investments in non-Singapore regions have consistently underperformed those based in Singapore during 2004-08. This study is the first to provide detailed analysis on the control mechanisms employed by Temasek Holdings, and the effect of these mechanisms on performance.