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Initial Offer Precision and M&A Outcomes

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  • Petri Hukkanen
  • Matti Keloharju

Abstract

Building on recent research in social psychology, this paper analyzes the link between the precision of initial cash offers and mergers and acquisition (M&A) outcomes. About one‐half of the offers are made at the precision of one or five dollars per share, while an additional one‐third are made at the precision of a half dollar or one quarter. The practice of making offers at round price‐per‐share levels is associated with a higher purchase price for target shares and a lower probability of deal completion.

Suggested Citation

  • Petri Hukkanen & Matti Keloharju, 2019. "Initial Offer Precision and M&A Outcomes," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 48(1), pages 291-310, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:finmgt:v:48:y:2019:i:1:p:291-310
    DOI: 10.1111/fima.12229
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    5. Wafa Tariq Waqar, 2020. "Board size and acquisition outcome: The moderating role of home country formal institutional development," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(4), pages 529-541, June.
    6. Deepak Kumar & Keya Sengupta & Mousumi Bhattacharya, 2023. "M&A Negotiations: Role of Negotiation Process, Ownership and Advisors on Deal Completion," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 32(5), pages 1083-1115, October.

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