In the current context of instability and financial crisis, understanding firm risk is crucial. In this study we aim to assess firm risk differences between family and non-family firms. Furthermore we analyze the family control impact, measured by both the family ownership and the F-PEC scale, in firm risk. We provide new evidence from family firm studies since we not only analyze the risk topic, almost unexplored, but we also introduce the F-PEC scale, an alternative way to measure the family influence. Using Portuguese quoted firms during the 1999- 2012 period, we find that family influence and control do not impact firm risk. Moreover, the firm size, return and growth opportunities influence it.
