Business news is often full of announcements of mergers and acquisitions. Two such announcements include Royal Bank of Canada taking over HSBC Bank Canada, and telecommunication giants Shaw and Rogers engaging in an historic merger in 2023.

a.

(5 marks) In each of the examples above, the transactions are considered takeovers. Briefly explain what a takeover is. In a takeover, there are three possible forms of acquisition. What are they?

A b.

(5 marks) Provide at least 5 reasons that a company would find an

M&A transaction to be advantageous.