Merger or acquisition of a company is a process in which both the companies either collaborate or they operate as a single firm. These terms are commonly taken as synonyms. However, they have major differences.
The terms ‘mergers’ and ‘acquisitions’ (M&A) have been used as synonyms, but there are major differences between them. They are not completely different and have overlapping features. When two companies come together or collaborate, they either merge or one gets overtaken or is acquired by the other company.
Definition
A merger can be defined as a legal act wherein two companies come together forming a new company but still continue operating as two individual companies. An acquisition can be defined as a legal act wherein one company takeovers the other company, and becomes its new owner.
Now that we have understood the basic difference between a merger and an acquisition, let us look at the other points of difference.
In the Eyes of Law
When a company acquires another company then, as per the law, the latter will cease to exist. Whereas, in the case of a merger both the companies dissolve and form another new firm. In the eyes of the law the two companies cease to exist and is replaced by the new company.
Stock
When a company is acquired, the stock from the acquiring party is transferred in the name of the acquirer. In cases where two companies are merged the stocks of both the firms are surrendered and fresh stocks are then issued.
Takeover
In case of an acquisition, a big company takeovers a small company, and becomes the single owner of both the firms. In case of a merger, normally two companies of the same size and structure come together and merge. This is called ‘the merger of the equals’. This is very rarely practiced as the profitability is low in such a case.
Hostile and Friendly Acquisitions
When two companies merge, it is on the basis of mutual agreement and consent. However, in case of an acquisition, the takeover act could be either friendly or hostile. Also sometimes, an acquisition is forcefully showcased as a merger to the world, so that a negative impression is not attached with it.
Types of Acquisitions and Mergers
There are different types of mergers and acquisitions, depending on how they have been financed, overtaken or merged.
Types of Acquisitions
- Asset Acquisition: In this case the acquiring company buys the assets of the acquiring company.
- Stock Acquisition: In case of stock acquisition, the acquiring company buys the stock of the acquiring firm.
Types of Mergers
- Horizontal Merger
- Vertical Merger
- Conglomeration Merger
- Market Extension Merger
- Product-Extension Merger
- Forward Extension
- Backward Extension
- Purchase Merger
- Consolidation Merger
Benefits of Mergers and Acquisitions
Merging of two companies or acquiring a company is done only because, both the parties benefit from it. Let’s look at the benefits it can generate.
Economies of Scale: When two companies merge or when a company gets acquired by another company, then the market that both the companies cater to, become one and their market share as well as their market access increases.
Increased Revenue: Because of economies of scale, the production, sales, expenditure and revenue increase. Which implies that higher profits are derived.
Increased Market Share: When two companies unify, their shares and stock together increases their market share by almost a half. All the investors are now under the same brand.
Diversification: A merger or an acquisition can diversify risk-faced companies, the products they deal with, and they also get access to diverse markets.
Skill and Technology Transfer: When two companies come together, there is a transfer of skills and the technology used. When a company acquires another company, it unifies the systems and the processes in both the firms.
Market Expansion: When companies come together, they cater to a larger market and different markets. This can increase their sales and in turn increase returns.
Tax Benefits: Merger and acquisitions can also bring in tax benefits. When a firm acquires or merges with another company, it has an option of making the collaboration a taxable or a non-taxable process, depending on what is more profitable for him.
As soon as the news of the merger of two companies or acquisition of a company is announced, its immediate effect is seen in the price of the company shares. Assessing if a company has profited from the collaboration is difficult. However, there is one easy way of doing so. When the price of the shares of a company increases after the collaboration, that indicates that the companies are benefiting. If a weak company has been taken over by a stronger company, the price of the shares will increase. As, now the weak firm has a financial backup of the stronger firm.
Understanding the differences between a merger and an acquisition can help investors and financial planners in making right financial decisions.