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The earnout structure matters: Takeover premia and acquirer gains in earnout financed M&As

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  • Barbopoulos, Leonidas G.
  • Adra, Samer

Abstract

In this article, based on both parametric and non-parametric methods, we provide a robust solution to the long-standing issue on how earnouts in corporate takeovers are structured and how their structure influences the takeover premia and the abnormal returns earned by acquirers. First, we quantify the effect of the terms of earnout contract (relative size and length) on the takeover premia. Second, we demonstrate how adverse selection considerations lead the merging firms to set the initial payment in an earnout financed deal at a level that is lower than, or equal to, the full deal payment in a comparable non-earnout financed deal. Lastly, we show that while acquirers in non-earnout financed deals experience negative abnormal returns from an increase in the takeover premia, this effect is neutralised in earnout financed deals.

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  • Barbopoulos, Leonidas G. & Adra, Samer, 2016. "The earnout structure matters: Takeover premia and acquirer gains in earnout financed M&As," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 283-294.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:45:y:2016:i:c:p:283-294
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2016.04.007
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    Cited by:

    1. Gada, Viswa Prasad & Goyal, Lakshmi & Popli, Manish, 2021. "Earnouts in M&A deal structuring: The impact of CEO prevention focus," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1).
    2. Adra, Samer & Barbopoulos, Leonidas G., 2023. "The informational consequences of good and bad mergers," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Leonidas G. Barbopoulos & Jo Danbolt, 2021. "The real effects of earnout contracts in M&As," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 44(3), pages 607-639, September.
    4. Adra, Samer & Barbopoulos, Leonidas G., 2018. "The valuation effects of investor attention in stock-financed acquisitions," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 108-125.
    5. Adra, Samer & Barbopoulos, Leonidas G. & Saunders, Anthony, 2020. "The impact of monetary policy on M&A outcomes," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Earnout financing; Information asymmetry; Takeover premia; Abnormal returns; Propensity Score Matching; Rosenbaum-bounds;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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