Do some research on mergers and acquisitions. What were the five largest mergers– acquisitions last year? Make a list of the partners in each. What reasons were given for the merger–acquisition? Do you think these mergers–acquisitions made strategic sense? Explain.

Mergers and Acquisitions in 2019:

1. The five largest mergers-acquisitions in 2019:

   Acquirer   and  Partner

a. BB&T and SunTrust

b. Schwab and TD Ameritrade

c. Raythem and UTC

d. Newmont and Goldcorp

e. Salesforce and Tableau Software

2. Reasons for the M&A:

a. BB&T and SunTrust                        - to cut cost

b. Schwab and TD Ameritrade          - to save money

c. Raythem and UTC                        - to become largest defence company

d. Newmont and Goldcorp               - to acquire competitive advantage

e. Salesforce and Tableau Software - to boost revenue

3. Some of the M&A transactions do not make any strategic sense.  For example, now that Raythem and UTC combined want to form the largest defense company, do they add much to their stockholders returns?  Some others acquired to cut cost will experience the huge costs of acquisition, which are, most times, too large to be written off in a single year.

Explanation:

Major financial transactions done at the corporate level for the purpose of consolidating the assets of two or more companies, growing market share, and eliminating competition are called Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A).  Consolidation of companies may be achieved through mergers, acquisitions, assets purchase, management acquisitions, etc.