Abnormal returns in corporate action: The case of Indonesia and Taiwan
Aries Heru Prasetyo
Sekolah Tinggi Manajemen PPM, Jakarta, Indonesia
justzhongshan[at]gmail.com
Abstract
The rapid numbers of corporate action which is known as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Asian market for the past three decades is growing tremendously. The two actions are widely used as a means to pursue strategic targets – for example to maintain stable growth and to gain strong power to control the market. This study investigates abnormal return to shareholders of bidder firms around the announcement day for Indonesia and Taiwan. Using a sample of 160 corporate action M&A, the study found that the stock market responses positively to the two corporate actions. The evidence shows that there are expected cumulative abnormal returns in two different event windows: a two-day window and a three-day window. Investor is found in favour of M&A information. However, non-financial sector is experiencing higher abnormal return compares to the financial sector. The study suggests that the market is trying to reap the maximum benefits from M&A announcement and justify the strategy as an optimistic way to deal with any dynamic changes in the industry. The market has been identified as having its semi-strong form in which every information is well-reflected at the equilibrium price. Henceforth, non-organic growth strategy may be highly recommended to Indonesia and Taiwan managers especially to those who are coming from non-financial sectors.
Keywords: Mergers and acquisitions, Stock market, Abnormal returns, Efficient market
Topic: Finance and Risk Management