Merger and Acquisitions
Merger and Acquisitions
Merger and Acquisitions
(M&A)
1. Merger
Transaction in which two firms combine to form a single firm.
2. Acquisition
Purchase of one firm by another.
Types of Transactions
1. Stock Purchase
the buyer purchases the stock of the target company directly from the
target's shareholders.
The company remains an existing going concern after the purchase, and its
business, assets and liabilities continue unaffected by the transaction.
A buyer may prefer a stock purchase when the buyer wishes to continue
the operation of the target company after the purchase.
One consideration for the buyer is that it will not get 100 percent control
unless all stockholders agree to sell their stock.
Advantages :
The acquirer doesn’t have to bother with costly re-valuations and retitles of
individual assets.
Buyers can typically assume non-assignable licenses and permits without
having to obtain specific consent.
Buyers may also be able to avoid paying transfer taxes.
More simple and commonly used than an asset acquisition. Hedge funds are
known for commonly conducting M&A transactions in the form of a simple
stock purchase.
Disadvantages:
The main disadvantage is that an acquirer receives neither the “step-up” tax
benefit nor the advantage of handpicking assets and liabilities.
All assets and liabilities transfer at carrying value.
The only way to get rid of unwanted liabilities is to create separate agreements
wherein the Target buys them back.
Applicable securities laws, of course, have to be dealt with, and this can
complicate the process, especially when the Target has a lot of shareholders.
Additionally, some shareholders may not wish to sell their stocks, and this can
drag out the process and increase the cost of acquisition.
Goodwill is not tax deductible when it exists in the form of a share price premium.
2. Statutory Merger or Consolidation
Example:
Company A and Company B enters into a statutory merger. Now, as per the rules of such
merger, one company of these two will keep its legal entity intact. And another will cease
to exist.
b.) Statutory Consolidation
When two companies are merging, they lose their own identities. And a
new successor is being created that will represent a combined version of
both of these entities.
For example:
Company C and Company D come together into a statutory consolidation.
Company C and Company D both will lose their existence and new
successor Company E will be born that will represent a combination of
Company C and Company D.
3. Asset Purchases
The buyer purchases only those tangible and intangible assets and assumes only
those liabilities that are specifically identified in the purchase agreement.
The asset purchase structure is often used when the buyer is looking to acquire a
single division or business unit within a company.
Third-party consents will often be required in order to transfer certain contracts from
seller to buyer, as many contracts specifically state they are not assignable or require
consent to assign. Since the process of identifying and obtaining consents may take
considerable time, the parties should identify all required third-party consents
at an early stage of the transaction to avoid delay at closing.
Preparing the Merger and Acquisition
10-step process:
1.) Develop an acquisition strategy – Developing a good acquisition strategy revolves
around the acquirer having a clear idea of what they expect to gain from making the
acquisition – what their business purpose is for acquiring the target company.
Example: expand product lines or gain access to new markets.
2.) Set the M&A search criteria – Determining the key criteria for identifying potential
target companies .
Example: profit margins, geographic location, or customer base
3.) Search for potential acquisition targets – The acquirer uses their identified
search criteria to look for and then evaluate potential target companies.
4.) Begin acquisition planning – The acquirer makes contact with one or more
companies that meet its search criteria and appear to offer good value; the purpose
of initial conversations is to get more information and to see how amenable to a
merger or acquisition the target company.
8.) Purchase and sale contracts – Assuming due diligence is completed with no major
problems or concerns arising, the next step forward is executing a final contract for
sale; the parties will make a final decision on the type of purchase agreement,
whether it is to be an asset purchase or share purchase.
9.) Financing strategy for the acquisition – The acquirer will, of course, have explored
financing options for the deal earlier, but the details of financing typically come
together after the purchase and sale agreement has been signed.
10.) Closing and integration of the acquisition – The acquisition deal closes, and
management teams of the target and acquirer work together on the process of
merging the two firms.
2. Issues to be Considered
To confirm and verify information that was brought up during the deal or
investment process.
To make sure that the deal or investment opportunity complies with the
investment or deal criteria.