Final answer:
The conglomerate discount means that investors believe that the value of conglomerates is less than the value of the sum of their parts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conglomerate discount refers to the belief that the value of conglomerates is less than the value of the sum of their parts. Large diversified businesses face this discount because investors consider the financial efficiencies of the conglomerate strategy and believe that the conglomerate's value is lower than what it would be if its component companies were valued independently.