Hostile Takeovers - The use of Attack and Defence Strategies

Master's Thesis from the year 2011 in the subject Business economics - Accounting and Taxes, grade: 70, University of Westminster (Westminster Business School), course: MSc Finance and Accounting - Master Dissertation, language: English, abstract: The attack and defence strategies are of critical importance for the situation of a takeover-bid from the view of the target company or the investor (raider). They can be crucial factor whether the acquisition is successful or not. Several strategies are discussed and are evidenced on the basis of practical examples. Of special importance is the development of the bid premia during the takeover process and the impact to the shareholders wealth. It can be observed that through decades and several takeover waves in the 20th century specific defence strategies pointed out as favourites in use for target managers. This project reviews the motivations for hostile takeovers, structures the random literature in this field, discusses the effects and impacts of popular attacks and defences and showcases several high-profile takeover bids.