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Shareholder litigation in mergers and acquisitions

Author

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  • Krishnan, C.N.V.
  • Masulis, Ronald W.
  • Thomas, Randall S.
  • Thompson, Robert B.

Abstract

Using hand-collected data, we examine the targeting of shareholder class action lawsuits in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, and the associations of these lawsuits with offer completion rates and takeover premia. We find that M&A offers subject to shareholder lawsuits are completed at a significantly lower rate than offers not subject to litigation, after controlling for selection bias, different judicial standards, major offer characteristics, M&A financial and legal advisor reputations as well as industry and year fixed effects. M&A offers subject to shareholder lawsuits have significantly higher takeover premia in completed deals, after controlling for the same factors. Economically, the expected rise in takeover premia more than offsets the fall in the probability of deal completion, resulting in a positive expected gain to target shareholders. However, in general, target stock price reactions to bid announcements do not appear to fully anticipate the positive expected gain from potential litigation. We find that during a merger wave characterized by friendly single-bidder offers, shareholder litigation substitutes for the presence of a rival bidder by policing low-ball bids and forcing offer price improvement by the bidder.

Suggested Citation

  • Krishnan, C.N.V. & Masulis, Ronald W. & Thomas, Randall S. & Thompson, Robert B., 2012. "Shareholder litigation in mergers and acquisitions," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 1248-1268.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:18:y:2012:i:5:p:1248-1268
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2012.08.004
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    4. Malmendier, Ulrike M. & Karsten, Christel & Sautner, Zacharias, 2020. "Lawyer Expertise and Contract Design – Evidence from M&A Negotiations," CEPR Discussion Papers 14936, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    5. Broere, Mark & Christmann, Robin, 2019. "Takeovers, Shareholder Litigation, and the Free-riding Problem," MPRA Paper 93201, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Humphery-Jenner, Mark & Powell, Ronan, 2014. "Firm size, sovereign governance, and value creation: Evidence from the acquirer size effect," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 57-77.
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    10. Basnet, Anup & Davis, Frederick & Walker, Thomas & Zhao, Kun, 2021. "The effect of securities class action lawsuits on mergers and acquisitions," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
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    12. Krishnan, C.N.V. & Solomon, Steven Davidoff & Thomas, Randall S., 2017. "The impact on shareholder value of top defense counsel in mergers and acquisitions litigation," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 480-495.
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    15. Wilson, Jared I., 2020. "The consequences of limiting shareholder litigation: Evidence from exclusive forum provisions," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    16. Broere, Mark & Christmann, Robin, 2021. "Takeovers, shareholder litigation, and the free-riding problem," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    17. C. N. V. Krishnan & Ronald W. Masulis & Randall S. Thomas & Robert B. Thompson, 2014. "Jurisdictional Effects in M&A Litigation," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(1), pages 132-158, March.
    18. Chung, Chune Young & Kim, Incheol & Rabarison, Monika K. & To, Thomas Y. & Wu, Eliza, 2020. "Shareholder litigation rights and corporate acquisitions," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    19. Dai, Ya & Guo, Liang & Kadapakkam, Palani-Rajan, 2019. "Protecting the weak: Efficacy of mandated auctions in minority buyouts," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 9-19.
    20. Feng, Yun & Liu, Chelsea & Yawson, Alfred, 2023. "Economic shocks, M&A advisors, and industry takeover activity," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    21. Humphery-Jenner, Mark & Powell, Ronan & Zhang, Emma Jincheng, 2019. "Practice makes progress: Evidence from divestitures," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 1-19.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    M&A offers; Shareholder class action lawsuits; Announcement period return; Deal completion rate; Takeover premium; Price revision;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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