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Accounting for business combinations: Do purchase price allocations matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Luc Paugam

    (ESSEC Business School)

  • Pierre Astolfi

    (IRG - Institut de Recherche en Gestion - UPEM - Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée - UPEC UP12 - Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne - Paris 12)

  • Olivier Ramond

    (DRM - Dauphine Recherches en Management - Université Paris Dauphine-PSL - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This study investigates the informativeness of purchase price allocations (PPAs) that involve fair value estimation of acquired assets and liabilities after a business combination. Using a model capturing the amount of goodwill expected after the initial announcement of an acquisition, we examine how allocation of abnormal levels of purchase price to goodwill (Abnormal Goodwill) affects stock price reaction surrounding the first disclosure of the PPA in SEC filings, and the acquirer's future performance. From a sample of 308 economically significant U.S. business combinations completed between 2002 and 2011, we document the following results: (1) Abnormal Goodwill is negatively associated with cumulative abnormal returns surrounding the first disclosure of the PPA, (2) there is a stronger negative reaction to Abnormal Goodwill for acquisitions that were already negatively received by market participants when initially announced than for acquisitions that were initially received positively, (3) the frequency and magnitude of goodwill impairment during the three years following completion of the acquisition increases as Abnormal Goodwill increases, and (4) future performance decreases as Abnormal Goodwill increases. Overall, our findings indicate that Abnormal Goodwill is informative regarding the quality of acquisitions. This study contributes to the debate on the usefulness of PPA.

Suggested Citation

  • Luc Paugam & Pierre Astolfi & Olivier Ramond, 2015. "Accounting for business combinations: Do purchase price allocations matter?," Post-Print hal-01277376, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01277376
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2015.04.003
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01277376
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Loyeung, 2019. "The role of boutique financial advisors in mergers and acquisitions," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 44(2), pages 212-247, May.
    2. M. D. Beneish & C. R. Harvey & A. Tseng & P. Vorst, 2022. "Unpatented innovation and merger synergies," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 706-744, June.
    3. Peter M. Johnson & Thomas J. Lopez & Trevor L. Sorensen, 2021. "Did SFAS 141/142 improve the market’s understanding of net assets, goodwill, or other intangible assets?," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 891-915, April.
    4. Roncagliolo, Elisa & Avallone, Francesco, 2022. "Recognition of provisional goodwill: Real need or communication strategy?," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    5. Bagna, Emanuel & Ramusino, Enrico Cotta & Ogliari, Matteo, 2023. "The impact of different goodwill accounting methods on stock prices: A comparison of amortization and impairment-only methodologies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Sunghee Ahn & Youngsoon S. Cheon & Moonchul Kim, 2020. "Determinants of initial goodwill overstatement in affiliated and non‐affiliated mergers," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(5-6), pages 587-614, May.
    7. Maciej Gierusz & Stanisław Hońko & Marzena Strojek-Filus & Katarzyna Świetla, 2022. "The Quality of Goodwill Disclosures and Impairment in the Financial Statements of Energy, Mining, and Fuel Sector Groups during the Pandemic Period—Evidence from Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-20, August.
    8. Paul M. Healy, 2016. "Reflections on M&A accounting from AOL’s acquisition of Time Warner," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(5), pages 528-541, August.
    9. Francesco Mazzi & Paul André & Dionysia Dionysiou & Ioannis Tsalavoutas, 2017. "Compliance with goodwill-related mandatory disclosure requirements and the cost of equity capital," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(3), pages 268-312, April.
    10. Bret A. Johnson & Ling Lei Lisic & Joon Seok Moon & Mengmeng Wang, 2023. "SEC comment letters on form S-4 and M&A accounting quality," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 862-909, June.

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