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Accounting for business combinations and takeover premiums: Pre- and post-IFRS

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  • Martin Bugeja
  • Anna Loyeung

Abstract

The adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Australia in 2005 resulted in goodwill accounting shifting from systematic annual amortisation to impairment testing. We examine whether IFRS adoption changed the association between takeover premiums and the difference between a target firm’s pre-acquisition market and book values (pre-acquisition step-up). Our results show a negative association between takeover premiums and the pre-acquisition step-up of the target firm. This association reduces however, after Australia adopted IFRS and no longer required goodwill amortisation. Consistent with the incentives arising from contracts written around accounting numbers, our results are strongest for bidding firms which compensate their CEO using an accounting-based bonus plan. These results are robust to a battery of sensitivity tests.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Bugeja & Anna Loyeung, 2017. "Accounting for business combinations and takeover premiums: Pre- and post-IFRS," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 42(2), pages 183-204, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ausman:v:42:y:2017:i:2:p:183-204
    DOI: 10.1177/0312896215614630
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    2. Nattapong Laksomya & John G. Powell & Suparatana Tanthanongsakkun & Sirimon Treepongkaruna, 2018. "Are Internet message boards used to facilitate stock price manipulation? Evidence from an emerging market, Thailand," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 58(S1), pages 275-309, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business combinations; goodwill; IFRS; takeover premiums;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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