4. A firm might choose to split up because the newer, smaller firms may be better able to focus on their
particular markets. Thus, reverse synergy is a possibility. An added advantage is that performance
5. It depends on how they are used. If they are used to protect management, then they are not good for
stockholders. If they are used by management to negotiate the best possible terms of a merger, then
6. One of the primary advantages of a taxable merger is the write–up in the basis of the target firm’s
assets, while one of the primary disadvantages is the capital gains tax that is payable. The situation is
the reverse for a tax-free merger.
7. Economies of scale occur when average cost declines as output levels increase. A merger in this
particular case might make sense because Eastern and Western may need less total capital investment
8. Among the defensive tactics often employed by management are seeking white knights, threatening
to sell the crown jewels, appealing to regulatory agencies and the courts (if possible), and targeted
share repurchases. Frequently, anti-takeover charter amendments are available as well, such as poison
pills, poison puts, golden parachutes, lockup agreements, and supermajority amendments, but these
9. In a cash offer, it almost surely does not make sense. In a stock offer, management may feel that one
suitor is a better long-run investment than the other, but this is only valid if the market is not efficient.
10. Various reasons include: (1) Anticipated gains may be smaller than thought; (2) Bidding firms are
typically much larger, so any gains are spread thinly across shares; (3) Management may not be acting
Solutions to Questions and Problems
NOTE: All end-of-chapter problems were solved using a spreadsheet. Many problems require multiple
steps. Due to space and readability constraints, when these intermediate steps are included in this solutions
manual, rounding may appear to have occurred. However, the final answer for each problem is found
without rounding during any step in the problem.
Basic