A New Accounting Approach to Evaluate M & A Prices and Goodwill Allocations

This dissertation introduces a new method for evaluating mergers and acquisitions (M&As) and goodwill allocations associated with them. This method differs from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which estimate the sum of the fair value of net identifiable assets by focusing on balance sheet information, and recognizes the remainder of the purchase price as goodwill. The new method utilizes both balance sheet and income statement information to estimate the value of a target as a business, and treats the remainder of the purchase price as the uncertain growth expectation. Using the new approach, I document that uncertain growth expectations in M&A prices (1) are negatively related to acquirer's long-term returns, (2) predict future goodwill impairments, and (3) are superior to event-date market reactions and premiums as a predictor of acquirers' future performance