When a company is more vulnerable to short sellers and FUD it may make more sense for it to be private. And there are reasons a company may be thus-vulnerable

When a company is more vulnerable to short sellers and FUD it may make more sense for it to be private. And there are reasons a company may be thus-vulnerable apart from mismanagement. E.g. if its success depends on fantastical sounding but trade-secret-constrained longer lead time tech.