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Corporate Liquidity, Acquisitions, and Macroeconomic Conditions

Author

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  • Erel, Isil
  • Jang, Yeejin
  • Minton, Bernadette A.
  • Weisbach, Michael S.

Abstract

This paper evaluates how the relation between firms’ cash holdings and their acquisition decisions changes over macroeconomic cycles using a sample of 47,615 acquisitions from 36 countries between 1997 and 2014. Higher cash holdings and stronger macroeconomic conditions each increase the likelihood that a firm will make an acquisition. However, larger cash holdings decrease the sensitivity of acquisitions to macroeconomic factors, suggesting that cash holdings lower financing constraints during times when the cost of external finance is high. Announcement day abnormal returns for acquirers follow a consistent pattern: They decrease with acquirer cash holdings and with better macroeconomic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Erel, Isil & Jang, Yeejin & Minton, Bernadette A. & Weisbach, Michael S., 2021. "Corporate Liquidity, Acquisitions, and Macroeconomic Conditions," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 56(2), pages 443-474, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jfinqa:v:56:y:2021:i:2:p:443-474_3
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    Cited by:

    1. Ma, Liang & Zhang, Xiaowen, 2025. "Capital allocation efficiency of SMEs: Global evidence," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    2. Yang, Junhong & Guariglia, Alessandra & Guo, Jie (Michael), 2019. "To what extent does corporate liquidity affect M&A decisions, method of payment and performance? Evidence from China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 128-152.
    3. Ullah, Nazim & Mat Nor, Fauzias & Abu Seman, Junaidah & Uddin, Akther, 2018. "Do Merger and Acquisition Affects Acquirer Bank’s Performance? A Comparative Analysis of Pre and Post Performance," MPRA Paper 108574, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 03 Jan 2018.
    4. Egidijus Bikas & Evelina Glinskytė, 2021. "Financial Factors Determining the Investment Behavior of Lithuanian Business Companies," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-19, April.
    5. Obonyo, Tirimba, 2022. "Monetary policy and cross-border acquisitions," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    6. Jana P. Fidrmuc & Tereza Tykvova, 2023. "Are Acquirer Shareholders Happier when Their Industries Are Unhappy?," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 23-52, Swiss Finance Institute.
    7. Zhao, Yiyun, 2023. "Does the Antimonopoly Law improve companies’ cash-holding management efficiency? Empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 55(PB).
    8. Gbenga Adamolekun & Anthony Kyiu, 2025. "Corporate carbon footprint and market valuation of restructuring announcements," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 595-620, February.
    9. Fang, Tian Jin & Han, Jianlei & He, Jing & Shi, Jing, 2021. "Property rights protection and mergers and acquisitions," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    10. Gu, Ming & Li, Dongxu & Ni, Xiaoran, 2022. "Too much to learn? The (un)intended consequences of RegTech development on mergers and acquisitions," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    11. Tang, Haodan & Fang, Senhui & Jiang, Dianchun, 2022. "The market value effect of digital mergers and acquisitions: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    12. Adra, Samer & Barbopoulos, Leonidas G. & Saunders, Anthony, 2025. "The fed information shocks and the market for corporate control: Predictive and causal effects," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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