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Preemptive Horizontal Mergers: Theory and Evidence

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Author Info
Jozsef Molnar () (Department of Economics, Northwestern University)

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Abstract

This paper proposes an explanation of why it can be rational for the profit-maximizing managers of an acquiring firm to conduct a takeover, even when doing so reduces shareholder value. If a firm fears that one of its rivals will gain competitive advantage from taking over some third firm, i can be rational for the first firm to preempt this merger with a takeover attempt of its own. This attempt can be optimal even if it requires the first firm to “overpay” relative to the increase in the joint profits of the combined firms. The paper first presents a model formalizing the above intuition. Then an event study is conducted to test the preemption theory. The empirical results are consistent with the predictions of the preemption theory, as opposed to the alternatives of hubris and agency theories.

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Paper provided by Institute of Economics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences in its series IEHAS Discussion Papers with number 0213.

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Length: 47 pages
Date of creation: Dec 2002
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:has:discpr:0213

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Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Albert Banal-Estañol & Paul Heidhues & Rainer Nitsche & Jo Seldeslacht, 2006. "Merger Clusters during Economic Booms," City University Economics Discussion Papers 06/07, Department of Economics, City University, London. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Roman Inderst & Christian Wey, 2004. "The Incentives for Takeover in Oligopoly," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 423, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Jozsef Molnar & Gabor Virag, 2001. "Optimal auctions with externalities and signaling," IEHAS Discussion Papers 0112, Institute of Economics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences. [Downloadable!]
  4. Tomaso Duso & Klaus Gugler & Burcin Yurtoglu, 2006. "EU Merger Remedies: A Preliminary Empirical Assessment," Discussion Papers 81, SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  5. Laurent Granier & Marion Podesta, 2008. "Mixed Bundling and Mergers," Cahiers du LASER (LASER Working Papers) 2008.23, LASER (Laboratoire de Science Economique de Richter), Faculty of Economics, University of Montpellier 1. [Downloadable!]
  6. Ivaldi, Marc & Motis, Jrissy, 2007. "Mergers as Auctions," CEPR Discussion Papers 6434, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  7. Joseph Clougherty & Tomaso Duso, 2008. "The impact of horizontal mergers on rivals: Gains to being left outside a merger," Discussion Papers 239, SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  8. Albert Banal-Estanol & Paul Heidhues & Rainer Nitsche & Jo Seldeslachts, 2009. "Screening and Merger Activity," Discussion Papers 270, SFB/TR 15 Governance and the Efficiency of Economic Systems, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Bonn, University of Mannheim, University of Munich. [Downloadable!]
  9. Rosato, Antonio, 2008. "“Matching Auctions” for Hostile Takeovers: A Model with Endogenous Target," MPRA Paper 15083, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 07 Jan 2009. [Downloadable!]
  10. Norbäck, Pehr-Johan & Persson, Lars, 2007. "Globalization and Profitability of Cross-border Mergers & Acquisitions," CEPR Discussion Papers 6102, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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