This study investigates the effect of the value of financial flexibility on bidder’s merger and acquisition (M&A) performance, including the differences between domestic and cross-border M&As and the effect of the financial crisis. Using data gathered between 2005-2012 of 3,882 M&As with the bidder from developed Europe or the U.S., OLS regressions are used to predict the effect of value of financial flexibility on the bidder’s cumulative abnormal returns (CARs). Findings reveal partial evidence to support a positive effect of the value of financial flexibility and the cross-border effect on bidder’s M&A performance. Collectively, these findings increase understanding of the interdependence of financial flexibility and investments.

This study examines the effect of using toeholds in domestic and cross-border acquisitionprocesses on the bidder’s acquisition performance. The sample constitutes 1,701 acquisitionsof European listed firms over the period 2003-2016. Results reveal significant evidence of anadverse effect of toeholds on the bidder’s acquisition performance. However, in cross-borderacquisitions, the use of toeholds results on average in significantly higher abnormal returns.Finally, the use of toeholds is found to be more efficient in target countries with a civil-lawsystem compared to countries with a common-law system. Overall, these findings increase ourunderstanding of management actions about the application of toeholds as an acquisitionstrategy.