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What are the Causes and Effects of M&As? The UK Evidence

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  • Jie (Michael) Guo

    (Durham University, U.K.)

  • Dimitris Petmezas

    (University of Surrey, U.K.)

Abstract

This paper examines the link between the causes and effects of mergers and acquisitions. By using a sample of UK acquisitions, which have the distinct characteristics of limited use of stock as means of payment and dominance of private acquisitions, the evidence shows that, on average, there is a substantial price run-up for acquirers prior to an acquisition announcement followed by a significant drop of bidder’s price in the post-event period. This indicates, to an extent, that corporate acquisitions are the effect of good performance rather than the cause. However, the results also reflect that a relatively better acquisition strategy for a firm to create value is by making many small acquisitions rather than a small number of large acquisitions, implying that acquisitions also drive performance. Overall, the evidence found is mixed and suggests that in the UK market, acquisition returns cannot be solely based on the market driven explanation.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie (Michael) Guo & Dimitris Petmezas, 2012. "What are the Causes and Effects of M&As? The UK Evidence," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 16(1-2), pages 21-47, March - J.
  • Handle: RePEc:mfj:journl:v:16:y:2012:i:1-2:p:21-47
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Breuer, Wolfgang & Ghufran, Bushra & Salzmann, Astrid Juliane, 2018. "National culture, managerial preferences, and takeover performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(6), pages 1270-1289.
    2. Panayiotis C. Andreou & Christodoulos Louca & Christos S. Savva, 2016. "Short-horizon event study estimation with a STAR model and real contaminated events," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 673-697, October.
    3. Wolfgang Breuer & Bushra Ghufran & Astrid Juliane Salzmann, 2020. "Investors' time preferences and takeover performance," Post-Print hal-02508909, HAL.
    4. Breuer, Wolfgang & Ghufran, Bushra & Salzmann, Astrid Juliane, 2020. "Investors' time preferences and takeover performance," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    mergers & acquisitions; price run-up; method of payment; frequent bidders; long-term wealth effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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