Question from a non-finance guy

Hey all, this might be a pretty simple/dumb question, but coming from a non-finance background I want to be best prepared.

In case studies, when asked to give an M&A recommendation, what are the typical reasons people list as to why they recommend Company X acquires Company Y in general (understand this is highly industry/company specific). I'm assuming revenue and cost synergies, and entrance into new market (customers or geographic location). Any other answers?

5,786 WSO Academy Investment Banking Session Reviews: 4.82/5

Georgetown McDonough School of Business

Class of '29 Jul 2026 Cohort

5.00/5

Investment Banking Mock Interview

“Julius was an excellent mentor and made the mock interview feel both challenging and constructive. He asked realistic investment banking questions and did a great job explaining not only what I could improve, but why certain answers were stronger. His feedback was specific, actionable, and immediately useful, particularly around structuring my responses and communicating my thought process more clearly. I also appreciated how approachable and encouraging he was throughout the session. I came away with several concrete takeaways that I can apply to future interviews, and I would absolutely work with Julius again. ”

SDA Bocconi School of Management

Class of '25 Oct 2026 Cohort

4.70/5

Investment Banking Full Resume Review

“The mentoring sessions were extremely valuable and played an important role in improving both the quality and the overall presentation of my CV. The mentor took the time to go through every single aspect of the document in great detail, providing clear and practical feedback on the content, structure, wording, and overall positioning of my experiences. One of the most valuable aspects of the sessions was the mentor’s ability to understand the specific requirements and expectations of the Investment Banking industry. Rather than simply making general improvements, he carefully reviewed each section of my CV and helped me identify how to better present my academic background, professional experiences, skills, and achievements in a way that is relevant and attractive to Investment Banking recruiters. The mentor also completely restructured the CV, helping me move from an initial version to a polished final format specifically suited to Investment Banking applications. The final result was much more concise, professional, and impactful, while ensuring that the most relevant information was clearly highlighted. His attention to detail was particularly helpful in improving the wording and making each bullet point more focused on achievements and measurable impact. Another aspect I particularly appreciated was his responsiveness. He was extremely quick in answering my questions and providing feedback, which made the entire process very efficient. Whenever I had doubts or needed clarification, I received a prompt and detailed response, allowing me to continuously improve the CV without unnecessary delays. Overall, the mentoring sessions provided significant value and gave me a much clearer understanding of how to position my profile for Investment Banking opportunities. I am very satisfied with the final version of my CV and with the level of guidance and support provided throughout the process. I would highly recommend this mentoring experience to anyone looking to strengthen their CV and prepare it effectively for a career in Investment Banking.”

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+220	Just One More Year	17	11h
+179	Piper Sandler in talks to acquire PWP	75	6h
+124	UBS Appears to be Exploring Sale	19	3d
+90	Paradise Is Paradise	8	18h
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+26	Why did EVR succeed vs GHL or PWP that ended up getting acquired?	9	1h
+22	Mandated 9:00am Arrival?	6	4d

1	redever	99.2
2	Secyh62	99.0
3	BankonBanking	99.0
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6	Betsy Massar	98.9
7	dosk17	98.9
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10	numi	98.8

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Question from a non-finance guy

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Question from a non-finance guy

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