We provide evidence that ex ante misvaluation matters for merger activities in the UK 1986-2002 using a sample of 302 bidders and targets. Sector or long-run misvaluation causes merger firms to be more overvalued than nonmerger firms. Acquirers are overvalued absolutely and relative to targets...

Using a sample of 186 referrals between 1965 and 2006, we analyse the abnormal returns experienced by UK bidding companies when a decision is made by UK regulators to refer a merger or acquisition for inquiry and when the decision is published by the regulator. We find evidence of disagreement...