BigCo is buying LittleCo, using shares. BigCo's cost of capital is 11.2%, and LittleCo's cost of capital is 17.1%. Both firms are all equity. If the merger goes through, BigCo will give LittleCo access to foreign markets, increasing its EBIT by $57,977 per year in perpetuity. The tax rate is 37%. BigCo has a share price of $23, with 261,289 shares outstanding. LittleCo has a share price of $16, with 56,595 shares outstanding. What is the largest number of shares in the merged firm that BigCo could justify giving LittleCo's shareholders in exchange for all of their holdings in LittleCo? Please give your answer to the nearest share.

Please give two reasons that BigCo might have chosen to pay for the merger with shares instead of cash.