Question
The following information relates to Questions 1-6. Modern Auto, an automobile parts supplier, has made an offer to acquire Sky Systems, creator of software for
The following information relates to Questions 1-6.
Modern Auto, an automobile parts supplier, has made an offer to acquire Sky Systems, creator of software for the airline industry. The offer is to pay Sky Systems shareholders the current market value of their stock in Modern Autos stock. The relevant information it used in those calculations is given below:
| Modern Auto | Sky Systems |
Share price | $40 | $25 |
Shares outstanding (millions) | 40 | 15 |
Earnings (millions) | $100 | $30 |
Although the total earnings of the combined company will not increase and are estimated to be $130 million, Charles Wilhelm (treasurer of Modern Auto) argues that there are two attractive reasons to merge. First, Wilhelm says, The merger of Modern Auto and Sky Systems will result in lower risk for our shareholders because of the diversification effect. Second, Wilhelm also says, If our EPS increases, our stock price will increase in line with the EPS increase because our P/E will stay the same.
Sky Systems managers are not interested in the offer by Modern Auto. The managers, instead, approach HiFly, Inc., which is in the same industry as Sky Systems, to see if it would be interested in acquiring Sky Systems. HiFly is interested, and both companies believe there will be synergies from this acquisition. If HiFly were to acquire Sky Systems, it would do so by paying $400 million in cash.
HiFly is somewhat concerned whether antitrust regulators would consider the acquisition of Sky Systems an antitrust violation. The market in which the two companies operate consists of eight competitors. The largest company has a 25 percent market share. HiFly has the second largest market share of 20 percent. Five companies, including Sky Systems, each have a market share of 10 percent. The smallest company has a 5 percent market share.
Note: For the multiple choice questions throughout the document, please bold and italicize the correct answer.
- The acquisition of Sky Systems by Modern Auto and the acquisition of Sky Systems by HiFly, respectively, would be examples of a
- horizontal merger and a vertical merger.
- vertical merger and a horizontal merger.
- conglomerate merger and a vertical merger.
- conglomerate merger and a horizontal merger.
- Are Wilhelms two statements about his share holders benefiting from the diversification effect of the merger and about the increase in the stock price, respectively, correct?
| The Merger Will Result in Lower Risk for Shareholders | Stock Price Will Increase in Line with the EPS Increase |
A. | No | No |
B. | No | Yes |
C. | Yes | No |
D. | Yes | Yes |
- Which of the following defenses best describes the role of HiFly in the acquisition scenario?
- Crown jewel.
- Pac-Man.
- White knight.
- White squire.
- If Sky Systems were to be acquired by Modern Auto under the terms of the original offer, the post-merger EPS of the new company would be ______________
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- Suppose HiFly acquires Sky Systems for the stated terms. The gain to Sky Systems shareholders resulting from the merger transaction would be ______________
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- If HiFly and Sky Systems attempt to merge, what would be the increase in the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and the probable action by the Department of Justice and the FTC, respectively, in response to the merger announcement?
| Increase in the HHI | Probable Response of Department of Justice and FTC |
A. | 290 | To challenge the merger |
B. | 290 | To investigate the merger |
C. | 400 | To challenge the merger |
D. | 400 | To investigate the merger |
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