Despite the fact that crown jewels are often the most valuable part of a company, some companies opt to use their crown jewels as part of a takeover defense. A company can employ this crown jewels defense by creating anti-takeover clauses which compels the sale of their crown jewels if a hostile takeover occurs. This deters would be acquirers from attempting to take the firm over.
• The energy company's crown jewels include huge natural gas reserves and an experimental oil business, which could yield major long-term benefits.
2) разг. наиболее привлекательные составные части корпорации (дочерние компании)
королевские регалии и драгоценности