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a) Four reasons why a company seeking to maximize shareholders wealth may wish to take
over another company are as follows:
It may wish to eliminate the competition in a particular market. By taking over a rival company it
may be possible to obtain a larger market share for its products and this in turn, should lead to
increases in profits.
It may view another company as an opportunity to exploit under utilized resources. The target
company may have a weak opportunity team in place which does not take advantage of profitable
opportunities. By taking over the company and introducing a stronger management team it may be
possible to improve sales and profit.
The takeover of another company will result in the creation of a larger business entity which
may enable economies of scale to be achieved.
The target company may possess complimentary resources which when combined with the
resources of the takeover company will result in profits over and above those achieved by the two
businesses operating as separate entities.
Acquisition of a more efficient management team:
Others: - Diversification
- Tax saving
- Investing the surplus cash.
b) The offer of shares in ABC Ltd in exchange for shares in XYZ Ltd overcomes the problems of
raising cash but will result in a dilution of control for existing shareholders in the bidding company
in addition, equity shares represent a more costly form of financing that loan capital. The issue of
new shares by ABC Ltd will reduce the gearing position of the company however, the overall level of
gearing of the combined company will also be influenced by the gearing of ABC Ltd.
Shareholders of XYZ Ltd may find a share-for-share exchange attractive as no immediate liability for
capital gains tax will arise as a result of the transaction. They will also still have a continuing interest
in the business although it will now become part of a larger business entity. An offer for cash or loan
capital would involve transaction costs if the investors wished to hold shares instead. When
evaluating a share-for-share exchange, comparisons of dividends per share, earning per share and
share values over time will be extremely important to investors.
The offer of loan capital in exchange for shares also overcomes the problem of raising cash and
avoids any dilution of control for existing shareholders. However, it will increase the gearing of ABC
Ltd and hence, the level of financial risk. When combined with the gearing of XYZ Ltd. it is possible
that the total gearing will be unacceptable to the shareholders of ABC Limited. The obligations to
make interest payments and capital repayments may become onerous in the future if profits are low.
Loan capital may be an attractive form of consideration, however, to the shareholders of XYZ Ltd.
The offer of a fixed return and security for the investment may be welcome if investors are unsure
of the future success of the combined business entity.
c) Defensive tactics employed by XYZ Ltd.
Divestiture – the targets firm spins-off some its business into an independent subsidiary
company this reducing attractiveness of existing business for the predator.
Green mail – incentive given by management of target firm to the bidder (predator) for not pursuing
the takeover e.g offering the predator a higher price than the market price.
Golden parachutes – where generous compensation is given to managers of the target company if they
get ousted due to a takeover.
Crown jewels – sale of the attractive business that makes the target attractive.
White knight – where the target firm offers itself to be acquired by a friendly company to escape from
a hostile takeover.
Poison pill – the predator may become a target when it is targeting other firms. The predator (acquiring firm)
may make itself unattractive to potential bidder. This is called poison pills e.g borrowing heavy debt to
increase leverage thus becoming unattractive.
Change of state of incorporation – move to another country where forced takeover laws are more
protective and restrictive.
Dual class recapitalization – the equity shares are divided into two or more classes with different voting
rights. The core or family owners are granted greater voting power under a one share, one vote rule.
Litigation by the target company – the management of the target could bring anti-trust suits against
the bidder. This will delay the control contest.
Going private transactions – this is the opposite of going public. It involves buying shares from the stock
exchange and making the company private.
Kavungya answered the question on April 17, 2021 at 13:03
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