What term is used for when a business buys another and sells off its profitable sections gradually?

Asset stripping refers to a strategy where a business acquires another company and systematically sells off its profitable divisions or assets to maximize short-term financial gains. This process is typically pursued by investment firms or companies looking to recoup their investment quickly by liquidating parts of the acquired business that are generating revenue.

In the context of the provided choices, asset stripping stands out because it specifically denotes the action of dismantling a company for parts, often leading to significant changes in the surviving business structure. This practice contrasts with market penetration, which focuses on increasing market share, joint ventures that involve partnerships for mutual benefit, and mergers that generally aim for long-term growth and integration of two firms rather than the disintegration of their operations.