Do cross-border acquisitions create more shareholder value than domestic deals for firms in a mature economy? The Japanese case

In this paper, we analyse the shareholder wealth effect in domestic and cross-border acquisitions involving Japanese acquiring firms over the period from 2000 to 2010. The results of our study reveal that cross-border acquisitions create larger returns for the acquirers’ shareholders than domestic deals. Furthermore, although acquisitions of firms in G7 countries create larger value than other acquisitions in the period between 2000 and 2003, in the period between 2008 and 2010, which corresponds to a period of slow economic growth in G7 countries after the US financial crisis, acquisitions involving target firms in non-G7 countries created greater wealth gains for shareholders than deals that targeted firms in G7 countries. Our results highlight the growing importance of M&A target firms in growing markets for mature firms in advanced and slow-growth economies.

Shareholder wealth effects and corporate name change: Evidence from Malaysia

This study seeks to evaluate the shareholder wealth effect of corporate name change by Malaysian listed companies. Our sample comprises both failed and non-failed Malaysian companies and standard event study methodology is employed. Our results indicate that corporate name changes have no impact on shareholder wealth unless the announcement is accompanied with news of approved corporate restructuring by Malaysian regulatory authorities. In addition, extraordinary abnormal returns were found on the announcement day for the failed companies group whilst, the sub-sample of non-failed companies experienced a significant low negative abnormal return around the announcement date indicating disapproval of cosmetic name changes. Investors in Malaysia are generally cautious about receiving news of a corporate name change. The study also suggests that the market cannot be fooled by mere name change; such a change must be backed by serious efforts towards recovery.