A Critical Analysis of Rightmove PLC Shareholder Wealth Creation in Five Year Period From 2017 to 2021

Abstract

The challenge is the lack of literature that discussed value maximization in the context of digital platforms only one paper discussed the value creation within digital platforms and another paper examines the relevance of accounting and economic measures on shareholder value creation within digital platforms, and there is an absence of any paper that discuses or analysed property portals platforms particularly, most of available information are from consulting companies and press report. This research will help to fill the gap in online portal value creation literature providing Rightmove as a case study. The paper analyzed shareholder value creation, taking Rightmove which is UK number one property portal as a case study. The aim is to study and assess Rightmove ability to create and maximize shareholder value from 2017 to 2021 and examine the impact if the economic moat on shareholder value creation and assess Rightmove financial and non-financial performance, dividends policy and acquisitions activities. The thesis objectives include discussing literature related to shareholder value maximization with primary focus shareholder value on context of digital platform as it differs from other traditional or pipeline businesses. And provide overview on industry conditions and competitions. To meet the aims and objectives set the project discussed literate and theories related to shareholder value creation and link them Rightmove PLC. The data are extracted from different sources using EIKON and annual reports from Rightmove and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively