I examine the market reaction to merger announcements and the long-term post-merger stock price performance of newly merged firms. For a sample of 484 acquiring firms completing mergers between 1993 and 2000, the average value-weighted abnormal announcement date return (market-adjusted) is a statistically significant -1.02%. On average, this reaction is more negative for firms with "good governance." Specifically, a governance index comprised of three governance variables is significantly negative in a multivariate regression of announcement date abnormal returns. Comp is the percentage of CEO salary consisting of equity incentives (including stock options and restricted stock grants), InsideOwn is the percentage of the firm owned by officers and directors, and InstOwn is the percentage of the firm owned by large outside block shareholders. Value-weighted calendar-time portfolios consisting of the full sample of acquirers exhibit significant abnormal returns of 9.12%, 33.84% and 55.8% for the 12, 36 and 60 months following the merger, respectively. This overperformance is limited to the value-weighted portfolios. There is calendar-time evidence of abnormal performance for some subsamples on a risk adjusted basis. However, when compared to a control group, abnormal performance is limited to large glamour acquirers on a 12-month horizon, large cash acquirers on a 36 and 60-month horizon, and small focusing acquirers on a 60-month horizon. Multivariate analysis of long-run returns reveals that use of equity and corporate diversification are associated with lower post-merger performance. With regard to governance and long-run stock returns, there is also evidence that suggests higher levels of incentive compensation for CEOs is associated with more successful merger transactions for long-term investors.

<p>Syftet med den här magisteruppsatsen är att undersöka hur tillkännagivandet av företags-förvärv påverkar aktieavkastningen på ett uppköpande bolaget. Testet är begränsat till före-tag som enbart är listade på Stockholmsbörsen under perioden 1996 till 2005. För att testa onormal avkastning användes marknads modellen. Resultatet visade att tillkännagivandet av företagsförvärv har en signifikant effekt på avkastningen för aktien för det bolag som ska förvärva. Majoriteten av uppköpande bolag upplevde en negativ onormal avkastning under test perioden (100 dagar före tillkännagivandet och 100 dagar efter).</p> / <p>The purpose of this master’s thesis is to examine the effect a corporate takeover an-nouncement has on share prices for acquiring companies. The test will only involve com-panies listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange during the period 1996 to 2005. To test the effect an announcement has, abnormal return for a period before and after the takeover announcement was calculated. The findings from the testing showed that takeover an-nouncements have a significantly impact on shareholder return. The majority of acquirers in the sample had negative average abnormal returns during the event period (100 days prior to the announcement and 100 day after).</p>

Mémoire d'étude (DCB) : Ecole nationale supérieure des sciences de l'information et des bibliothèques : Villeurbanne (France) : 2001. / Notes bibliogr.

Zugl.: Darmstadt, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2009

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität St. Gallen, 2003.

Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι η μελέτη των χαρακτηριστικών των επιχειρήσεων που αποτέλεσαν αντικείμενο εξαγοράς σε μια μικρή ανοιχτή οικονομία, όπως είναι η Ελλάδα. Χρησιμοποιώντας στοιχεία της περιόδου 1995 – 2002, μέσω της εκτίμησης ενός logit υποδείγματος, γίνεται μια προσπάθεια για να προσδιοριστούν τα χαρακτηριστικά των εξαγοράσιμων εταιριών αλλά και κατά πόσο το υπόδειγμα μπορεί να προβλέψει τις εταιρίες στόχους. Τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας εργασίας επιβεβαιώνουν εν μέρει παλαιότερες μελέτες που έχουν γίνει για την ελληνική οικονομία από τους Tsagkanos et al. (2006, 2008), ενώ επίσης δείχνουν και τη δυσκολία πρόβλεψης των εξαγοράσιμων εταιριών χρησιμοποιώντας δημοσιευμένα οικονομικά στοιχεία, όπως έχει επισημανθεί και από άλλες μελέτες (Palepu 1986, Barnes 1999,2000). / The main purpose of this thesis is to study the characteristics of takeover targets from a small open economy like Greece. Using data from takeovers that took place during 1995 – 2002, this thesis is an effort to identify the characteristics of Greek takeover targets and also to investigate if acquired firms can be predicted using logit model. The findings partially confirm the results of previous studies from Greece (Tsagkanos et al. 2006, 2008). They also show the difficulty in predicting takeover targets using econometric models, which is in accordance with previous studies (Palepu 1986, Barnes 1999, 2000).

I provide evidence on the impact of foreign competition on firms' propensities to engage in mergers and acquisitions. Using import tariff reductions as an exogenous shock that increases foreign industry competition, I find that affected firms are more likely to make acquisitions following a tariff reduction. Cross-sectional tests show that this association is more pronounced for single segment firms, firms that innovate less, or that are more capital intensive, which suggests this association is stronger for firms which stand to gain more from an acquisition. Moreover, the positive relationship between acquisition likelihood and tariff cuts is less pronounced for financially constrained firms and during times of low capital liquidity, which implies that it is easier for firms with greater access to external capital to respond to increases in foreign competition by making acquisitions. Finally, I find that acquisitions made subsequent to tariff decreases are associated with positive wealth gains for bidder shareholders, indicating that these acquisitions are viewed favorably by market participants.

In this study the effect of mergers and acquisitions on the wealth of shareholders is investigated by a case study method. The merger between Abraxas Investment Holdings and AST Ltd to form AST Group Ltd is investigated to establish any form of gains accruing to the shareholders whether abnormal or otherwise as a result ofthis merger. Two methods have been used to undertake this exercise namely the Stock Price Analysis and the Accounting data method. The accounting data method depicts an improvement in the post merger performance of AST Group Ltd as indicated by increases on the ratios such as Revenue; ROE; NAV and EPS. Improvement on these ratios has been interpreted as inferring an improvement on the "alue of the shareholders wealth. On the other hand the stock price performance analysis depicts two scenarios. Shareholders do experience some abnormal gains in the period leading to the merger as measured by increases in the share prices ofmerger companies. In the post merger period the price of AST Group Ltd Share declines unabated thus signaling a drop in the value of shareholders wealth. This has also resulted in incessant decline in PIE ratios in the post merger period. It has been concluded from this study that ifthe results of the investigation as outlined above are anything to go by then shareholders have not reaped the best possible results from this merger. AST Group Ltd has huge potential and capacity to afford its shareholders the best returns both in terms ofbook value and market value returns. A review ofthe integration strategy and appraisal of corporate objectives is required for this company to regain the confidence ofthe markets. AST Group Ltd needs to urgently arrest the decline in its share price or it will be exposed to a takeover bid soon / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

In this investigation, I assessed the underlying reasons for the revolution that succeeded a conventional merger proposal, which then degenerated into a hostile takeover bid. To my astonishment, I discovered that both banks were not diametrically opposed to an amalgamation. In fact, they both agreed on the strategic importance and business wisdom thereof. The fundamental differences arose from Standard's perception of Nedcor's deep-rooted arrogant intents, which were to gain its assets at bargain basement prices. These views were extended to Nedcor's principal Old Mutual as well, who were accused of harbouring sinister beliefs to actualise the obsessions of Nedcor's CEO, who sought to preside over the largest bank in the country, if not in the sub-continent. In the final analysis, a significant fortune and precious time were wasted in waging and defending a fruitless effort. This culminated in enriching the consultants and professional advisors, at the expense of both Standard and Nedcor shareholders, and their legitimate stakeholders alike. Conversely, it has since been acknowledged that this case study was a classical illustration of the potential pitfalls of hostile mergers and acquisitions. These lessons will undoubtedly enlighten other institutions and industry sectors that may be secretly entertaining similar desires. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, 2003.

The ability to grow market share in a saturated market is often difficult if that market is stable. In a country that has an economy that is not performing, growth of a company is often vital so as to allow the prosperity of a company. One such way to grow is for the company to form strategic alliances with other companies that are strong where the other company is week and in so doing stimulate a competitive advantage. In retail store outlets and location play an important role in competitive advantage by creating" new markets" , and if these new markets could increase the companies existing market share, then this results in a win - win situation for the company. Often moving into new markets involves risks as it is the unknown. By making a move to sell product in two pilot project Woolworths-Engen forecourt stores, Woolworths are moving into a market where they can sell a product group HMR's (home meal replacements) where currently they have no close competitors, thus capitalizing. This move is heralded However as this is a totally new format of selling, Woolworths need to ascertain if brand integrity will be affected and whether such a project is more than just a good idea. It was found the NPV's and IRR's ( the way Woolworths evaluate projects and project feasibility) from a Woolworths perspective were both extremely positive. From Engen's position, this initiative brought about a substantial increase in both petroleum and food store sales for the two pilot projects, comparable with those figures prior to the pilot projects launch. Woolworths as a company were very interested in the qualitative results conducted by an independent consultant, as they were concerned about maintaining brand integrity. This fear was not founded as the survey done by actual customers shopping the pilot project stores show that customer confidence over Woolworths brand integrity was not affected. Instead customers enjoyed the convenience. The strength of this Alliance is that both members have brought to the part aspects where the other member currently does not perform. Woolworths bring their good food and strong brand name linked with market dominance and Engen bring their immense outlet network, and prime locations. i.e. the strategic fit between these two corporates is extremely strong. All parties involved in this venture namely Woolworths, Engen Head Office and the petroleum station dealer benefit financially from this initiative. / Thesis (MBA)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.