Mergers and Acquisitions- Overview

Let us take a glance at what are the advantages of considering Mergers and Acquisitions.

Tax Benefits

In countries where mergers and acquisitions are accomplished, tax benefits are offered for smooth running of business. When a company merges into other company, it creates new and better capital and avails tax benefits. India is one of the few countries which offers discounted tax rates to the company that wishes to set up business in India.

New Opportunities

If you are a businessman who wants to invest in the Indian market and is struggling to carry out a business plan, then you need not worry as there are enough opportunities available in India. Mergers and Acquisitions is such an option as it will save time and effort of a person and will give a boost to your business. By altering the structure of a business and with certain documentation, a business can revive itself and increase its value in the market.

Easy Access to Skilled Labour

India is a highly populated country. But the amount of job opportunities are much less in respect to the population. So formation of new business ventures will provide more employment opportunities. With Mergers and Acquisitions, the company retains their current employees and fulfill the legal formalities.

A Portfolio Diversified

Under the mergers and acquisition process, there are tons of opportunities for new goods, services, and products that can enhance growth and expansion of business. For better valuation of a company, it is advisable to go through mergers and acquisition. A newly formed company will gain more experience and will have access to a larger market share with proper guidance.

Access to Larger market

India being a big country not only in terms of area but population as well, hosts opportunities for businessmen to start up their ventures easily and effectively. The cost of incorporation and other costs are also lower as compared to other countries. Any company wanting to set up in Indian market has access to large market share as the population is vast. A company can invest in an Indian company to have access to cheap and skilled labour and a better taxation policy to increase the efficiency and growth potential of the business.

Greater Financial Control and More Influence

Mergers and acquisition process offers greater financial stability as the employees and resources are already present in the company. With M & A, only the structure needs to be modified. M & A boosts financial strength with the modified structure of the company that can influence consumers effectively.

The following are some common transactions that fall under the M&A.

Mergers

In a merger, the boards of directors for two companies approve the combination and seek shareholders' approval for merging. For example, in 1998, a merger deal was made between the Digital Equipment Corporation and Compaq, whereby Compaq absorbed the Digital Equipment Corporation. Compaq later merged with Hewlett-Packard in 2002.

Acquisitions

In a simple acquisition, the acquiring company obtains the majority shares in the acquired firm, which does not change its name or alter its organizational structure. An example is Manulife Financial Corporation's 2004 acquisition of John Hancock Financial Services, wherein both companies preserved their names and organizational structures.

Consolidations

Consolidation creates a new company by combining core businesses by giving up the old corporate structures. Shareholders of both companies must approve the consolidation, and upon approval, receive common equity shares in the new firm. For example, in 1998, Citicorp and Travelers Insurance Group made a consolidation, which resulted in Citigroup.

Tender Offers

In a tender offer, one company offers to purchase the outstanding stock of the other firm at a particular price rather than the market price. The acquiring company communicates the offer directly to the other company's shareholders, bypassing the management and board of directors. For instance, in 2008, Johnson & Johnson made a tender offer to acquire Omrix Biopharmaceuticals for $438 million.

Acquisition of Assets

In an acquisition of assets, one company directly acquires the assets of another company. The company whose assets are being acquired should obtain approval from its shareholders. The purchase of assets is common during bankruptcy proceedings, wherein other companies bid for various assets of the bankrupt company, which is liquidated upon the final transfer of assets to the acquiring firms.

Management Acquisitions

In a management acquisition, also known as a management-led buyout (MBO), a company's executives purchase a controlling share in another company, owning it privately. These former executives often partner with a former corporate officers in an effort to help fund a transaction. Management acquisitions are typically financed disproportionately with debt, and the majority of shareholders must approve it. For example, in 2013, Dell Corporation announced that it was acquired by its founder, Michael Dell.

Mergers can be structured in a number of ways, based on the relationship between the two companies involved in the deal:

Horizontal merger: Two companies that are in direct competition and share the same product categories and markets.

Vertical merger: A customer and company or a supplier and company typically indulges in this format.

Congeneric mergers: Two businesses that offers service to the same customer base in different ways, such as a TV manufacturer and a cable company.

Market-extension merger: Two companies that sell the same category of products in different markets.

Product-extension merger: Two companies selling different but related products sharing the same market.

Conglomeration: Two companies that have no common business lines.