Page 1 of 9

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e‐ISSN: 2395‐0463

Volume 01 Issue 07

August 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ Page | 408

Post‐Merger Performance of Acquiring Firms

across Industries in India: A Case Study

Neha Duggal

Research scholar, University School of Management, Kurukshetra University, India

(nehaduggal.phd@gmail.com)

Abstract

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) have gained

substantial importance in recent times as a

significant toll for corporate restructuring and

thus creating value for the entities. It enables the

firms to explore new markets, expand their

horizons, reducing the business risks, and

geographical areas thereby increasing the

profits and gaining through competitive

advantage. The present research paper aims at

studying the impact of mergers on the financial

performance of Indian corporate entities from

different sectors like banking, pharmaceutical

and steel by examining various financial ratios

of the sample of companies listed on the BSE

from the period 2000-2010. For the purpose of

analysis paired sample t-test is conducted. The

results suggested that there was positive impact

seen in the banking sector which has sustained

also upto (t+5) in the given profitability

variables whereas in case of pharma and steel

sector not much impact is seen on the

profitability. There is improvement in net profit

margin in pharma and return on assets ratio in

the steel sector in (t+1 year window). The

results reported in the study points to the

positive impact of merger announcement on the

financial performance in majorly in the short

run (+1 yr).

Keywords: Merger & Acquisitions, financial ratios,

financial performance

1.0 Introduction

The rapid changing technologies, fast moving

economies, the positive impact of globalization,

accelerated revenues has triggered the activity of

M&A in India and increased manifold in recent

times. Mergers and acquisitions have always

been taken as the one of the most convenient and

profitable strategy to survive in the competitive

environment. The intent is to gain competitive

advantage, capitalizing larger market share,

creating profits through synergistic effect and

economies of scale thereby bringing

competencies and capabilities for a sustainable

corporate performance.

1.1 Mergers and Acquisitions in

Indian Industry.

The Indian companies have understood well the

significance of environmental adoptions,

technological innovations and competitive

advantage. Post economic liberalization in early

Page 2 of 9

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e‐ISSN: 2395‐0463

Volume 01 Issue 07

August 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ Page | 409

1990’s Indian economy has undergone a

massive transformation. The Indian companies

have understood well the significance of

environmental adoptions, technological

innovations and competitive advantage. The

economic reforms gave enabled the corporate to

introduce various structural changes and

restructuring activities mainly followed by

merger and acquisition deals.

Statistics have shown the increasing trend of

M&A activity in recent times. In 2014 mergers

and acquisition deals amounting to $16 bn took

place in which banking and pharmaceutical

sector dominated the deals. A total of 253 deals

took place majority leading to mergers and

acquisitions in pharma and banking sector

followed by energy and natural resources. Figure

1 shows the statistics generated by grant thorton

on mergers and acquisitions activities took place

in India in 2014.

Fig.1 Domestic M&A round up in 2014

(Source: Grant Thornton Annual Dealtracker Report, 2014)

Page 3 of 9

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/index.php/JSMaP

e‐ISSN: 2395‐0463

Volume 01 Issue 07

August 2015

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ Page | 410

2.0 Review of Literature

Various studies have concluded and resulted an

optimistic affect of mergers on corporate

performance of the company. By adopting

certain parameters of measuring the financial

and operative improvements in the companies

researches have concluded that mergers have

favorable impact on corporate.

Kruze, Park and Suzuki (2003) studied the

long term operating performance of mergers of

Japanese companies with a sample of 56

mergers of manufacturing companies from the

period 1969 to 1997. The cash flow performance

in the five year period following mergers were

studied .it found evidence of improvement in

operating performance and also pre and post

merger performance are highly correlated. It

concluded that long term operating performance

of control firms was positive but insignificant

and high correlation existed between pre and

post merger performance.

Vanitha.S and Selvam. M (2007) in their study

“Financial Performance of Indian Manufacturing

Companies During Pre and Post Merger”

analyzed 17 companies as a sample out of 58 to

study the impact of merger on the performance

in Indian manufacturing sector from 2000- 2002.

For financial performance analysis ratio

analysis, mean, standard deviation and “t” test

was used. The found overall financial

performance to be insignificant for 13 variables.

Pramod Mantravadi and Vidyadhar Reddy

(2008) investigated a sample of 118 cases of

mergers in their study, “ Post merger

Performance of acquiring firms from different

industries in India” aimed to study the impact

of Mergers on operating performance of

acquiring corporates in different industries from

a period of 1999 to 2003. The results showed

minor variation in the operating performance

following mergers where more impact of merger

was noticed on the profitability of banking and

finance industry, pharmaceutical, textile and

electric equipment sector whereas significant

decline was seen in chemical and Agri-Products

sector.

Beena (2004) analyzed the pre and post merger

performance of firms belonging to

manufacturing industries with an investigation

of sample of 115 acquiring firms between the

period 1995-2000. For the purpose of analysis

four sets of financial ratios were considered and

it was tested using t –test. The study showed no

improvement in the performance in comparison

to the pre merger period for sample companies.

Ghosh and Jain (2000) analyzed whether the

merging firms increase their financial leverage

after merger. For this a sample of 239 mergers

during 1978 to 1987 in the US taken. The result

showed that mean financial leverage resulted in

17% increase as compared to pre merger

financial leverage of combined firms. The study

was conducted on comparing pre and post

merger performance on the case to case basis.