A Guide to Takeovers: Theory, Evidence, and Regulation

Abstract

The last decade witnessed an explosion of activity in the field of corporate takeovers, which ended in an environment of increased regulation of these transactions. These events have prompted extensive study into the causes for takeovers and the effects of their regulation. This article surveys and analyzes both the economic literature and the law in an attempt to determine which regulatory regimes make the most sense in light of the empirical evidence.