Where to Find Information on Mergers and Acquisitions?

Hi WSO,

I'm unsure if my question meets the standards of a typical WSO question, but I figure it's worth a try! I'm currently in the data-gathering process for a research paper concerning the effect of corporate culture on the success rate of modern-day mergers and acquisitions; I am co-authoring the research paper with my professor, and would highly appreciate a little guidance in the right direction.

We are looking at the Dow Jones 30 for our initial data set (just to get our feet wet). My job this past weekend has been to utilize the EDGAR SEC database and search for DEFM14C filings for these 30 companies; I figured that by doing this, I would easily find out the companies in the DJ 30 with any M&A activity in the past 13 years.

Unfortunately, I have only been able to find DEFM 14A filings, and while some of them are fairly obvious (Exxon Mobil's 1999 merger, for instance), I cannot rely on DEFM 14A forms alone to serve as an indicator of a successful merger/ acquisition. I will later be dealing with much larger data sets, so I need a full-proof and streamlined method of collecting data.

Is there any online database, feed site, or readily available collection of press releases on mergers and acquisitions that I could utilize? I have some working knowledge of Ruby's Anemone and Nokogiri gems, but I was hoping that I would not have to resort to web crawling to find the information I'm looking for.

Again, sorry if this is not the forum to post such a question, but I would highly appreciate any and all advice/ information. Thank you!!

 

I mean Thomson One's M&A database is fairly comprehensive (at least of public deals; don't overlook transactions, which may or may show up in Thomson or any other source) with respect to dates, price.. basically, whatever was on the term sheet. But I think this sort of analysis has already been done? See the following links.

Study: http://papers.nber.org/papers/w18024

"More" technical discussion of that study: http://dealbreaker.com/2012/05/spending-a-year-on-an-ma-bidding-war-is-…

"Less" technical discussion of that study: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/05/02/study-mergers-bad-deals/

"There are three ways to make a living in this business: be first, be smarter, or cheat."
 

See if your business school library has access to Capital IQ.

If so, just search your favorite buyer and click on "M&A/Private Placements" on the left side.

You could also just screen mergers/acquisitions on capital IQ. Screening > Transactions and put in your constraints.

 

Tempore non est nisi nesciunt. Adipisci voluptas quae id. Excepturi tenetur quasi repellendus impedit. Nobis et illum quis rerum ex. Eius architecto quod accusamus laborum sint.

 

Atque dicta mollitia id deserunt quis fuga vel. A culpa molestiae quia et officiis. Eveniet nostrum a modi deleniti. Illo impedit iusto et est tempora. Dolorem alias omnis quia hic et.

Dolor quia sed quo dolores suscipit omnis. Quae aut mollitia et et qui. Omnis nam odit nemo excepturi sit harum iste et.

Fuga quo aut in corrupti. Deserunt et labore velit et deserunt eligendi sit debitis. Illo eaque et sed officiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”