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The value-added role of industry specialist advisors in M&As

Author

Listed:
  • Graham, Michael
  • Walter, Terry S.
  • Yawson, Alfred
  • Zhang, Huizhong

Abstract

This paper examines the value-added role of industry specialist advisors in M&As. We find that compared to non-industry specialists, advisors specializing in the target industry help acquirers garner higher announcement returns. However, there is no significant difference in acquirer returns between advisors specializing in the acquirer industry and non-industry specialists. The choice of a specialist advisor in the target industry benefits acquirers most when there is significant information asymmetry surrounding the targets. Moreover, the bulk of value creation comes from small- to medium-sized financial advisors, rather than large, top-tier investment banks. Finally, our results suggest that advisors specializing in the target industry add value mainly through their ability to help acquirers purchase targets at a lower price.

Suggested Citation

  • Graham, Michael & Walter, Terry S. & Yawson, Alfred & Zhang, Huizhong, 2017. "The value-added role of industry specialist advisors in M&As," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 81-104.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbfina:v:81:y:2017:i:c:p:81-104
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbankfin.2017.04.010
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    Cited by:

    1. Leledakis, George & Mamatzakis, Emmanuel & Pirgiotakis, Manos & Travlos, Nikolaos, 2017. "What twenty years of regulations have to say about M&As of U.S. banks?," MPRA Paper 82977, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Wan, Liangyong & Ren, Liuyang & Lin, Bingxuan & Xu, Xiaowei, 2021. "Does investment banker human capital matter in acquisitions? Evidence from China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    3. Min, Yijie & Liao, Yi-Chuan & Chen, Zhijun, 2022. "The side effect of business group membership: How do business group isomorphic pressures affect organizational innovation in affiliated firms?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 380-392.
    4. Lyu, Huaili & Wang, Wenming, 2020. "Individual financial advisor's reputation concern and M&A performance: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    5. Martin Tao-Schuchardt & Frederik J. Riar & Nadine Kammerlander, 2023. "Family Firm Value in the Acquisition Context: A Signaling Theory Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(4), pages 1200-1232, July.
    6. Bhattacharya, Debarati & Hsu, Shih-Che & Li, Wei-Hsien & Liu, Chun-Ting, 2019. "A combined firm's decision to hire the target's financial advisor after acquisition: Does “service excellence” pay off?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 297-302.
    7. Feng, Yun & Liu, Chelsea & Yawson, Alfred, 2023. "Economic shocks, M&A advisors, and industry takeover activity," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industry specialist advisors; Acquirers; Abnormal returns; Cross-industry deal;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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