Takeover Waves: Triggers, Performance and Motives

This paper reviews the vast academic literature on the market for corporate control.Our main focus is the cyclical wave pattern this market exhibits.From the perspective of takeover waves, we address questions such as: Why do mergers and acquisitions (M&As) occur?Does the ensuing transfer of control generate shareholder gains?What are the main profitability drivers in M&As by takeover wave?We find that the pattern of takeover activity and its profitability significantly vary across the various takeover waves.Despite such diversity, all waves have similarities: they are preceded by technological or industrial shocks, and occur in a positive economic and political environment, amidst rapid credit expansion and stock market booms.Takeovers towards the end of each wave are usually driven by non-rational, frequently selfinterested managerial decision-making