Takeover Premia and Leverage: Theory, Empirical Observations and Recommendations
-
Vincent Covrig
and
Mary Ann K. Travers
Abstract
The greater a target company’s leverage, the less cash or shares an acquirer needs to control the target enterprise. Given the benefits of acquiring a target, the equity takeover premium is spread over relatively more assets in a more highly leveraged target, thus reducing the premium paid relative to the entire enterprise. This suggests that more levered targets may receive greater equity premia, expressed as a percent of the unaffected share price, other things equal. To test this, we examine takeover transactions that occurred during the 2003–2013 time period. We find that higher equity takeover premia are related to higher pre-deal leverage levels, consistent with theory. Our results are robust with respect to size, industry, profitability, year of transaction, synergy potential, and type of acquirer (strategic, horizontal or financial). Our empirical analyses support the Appraisal Foundation Working Group’s recommendation for best practices, namely, to adjust takeover premia for leverage.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Research articles
- Valuation of a Company using Time Series Analysis
- The Impact of Default on Tax Shield Valuation
- An Independent Evaluation of the Reliability of the Implied Private Company Pricing Line Model in Appraisal Practice
- Patent Valuation with Forecasts of Forward Citations
- Takeover Premia and Leverage: Theory, Empirical Observations and Recommendations
- Note
- ARIMA Forecasting: Variables without a Cause
- Legal Case Study
- Are The Courts Unintentionally Promoting Unethical Behavior In Business Valuators?
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Research articles
- Valuation of a Company using Time Series Analysis
- The Impact of Default on Tax Shield Valuation
- An Independent Evaluation of the Reliability of the Implied Private Company Pricing Line Model in Appraisal Practice
- Patent Valuation with Forecasts of Forward Citations
- Takeover Premia and Leverage: Theory, Empirical Observations and Recommendations
- Note
- ARIMA Forecasting: Variables without a Cause
- Legal Case Study
- Are The Courts Unintentionally Promoting Unethical Behavior In Business Valuators?
