David Booth says there are no plans for a change in ownership at Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) [profile]. So reports RIABiz, which adds that Booth confirmed his plans to pass on the top position next year to Eduardo Repetto.

Booth and Repetto were making an appearance at the Loring Ward conference for advisors held in Monterey, California, this week through today.

In Booth's own words (and those carry special weight as he is the founder of Dimensional):

"There are absolutely no plans for a change in ownership at Dimensional. I am 100% committed to maintaining my ownership stake in the company. I cannot imagine retiring as long as I have my health. These are the good times. It's taken 31 years for us to get to the point where we have both the ability and the means to do what we want to do, and I don’t want to walk away from that."

For his part, Repetto said the what-if scenario has been well thought of but the immediate ownership plan is business as usual.

Repetto said:

"It will happen some day, it happens to every successful private company. There are always two options, you merge with some other company or [do] an IPO. Unless you have an enlightened buyer who embraces what we stand for, the only option is an IPO. An IPO allows you to control your own destiny."

Still, the article adds that the founder and heir apparent are in agreement that the IPO talk is prepatory and no offering is in the works. That may be good news to advisors. As one told RIABiz, "If you go IPO, it will change the culture."  

Edited by: HFD


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