Is More Less? The Impact of M&A and Diversification: Evidence from 2000-2010

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Firms have many corporate strategies, one of which is to diversify their operations through a merger or acquisition (M&A). The hope is that by diversifying, firms will gain value through operational and financial synergies, increase market power, decrease competition, and align managerial incentives. However, past studies found that firms experience a phenomenon called the “diversification discount,” where firm value may decrease. This thesis will further explore this by utilizing two models: an excess returns model testing for the discount and a probit model testing for how likely firms will diversify. The results indicate that previously diversified firms are more likely to pursue further diversifying activities, but less likely to pursue similar targets. The results also do not find a discount associated with diversifying activities, but a premium associated smaller transactions. This suggests that while diversification is necessary to explain firm value, it is not sufficient.

    Item Description
    Name(s)
    Thesis advisor: Hornstein, Abigail
    Date
    April 15, 2012
    Extent
    133 pages
    Language
    eng
    Genre
    Physical Form
    electronic
    Discipline
    Rights and Use
    In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted
    Digital Collection
    PID
    ir:843