I document evidence that 525 S&P 1500 companies that remove anti-takeover provisions (``ATPs") in period 2009-22017 raise their CEO inside debt afterwards to address the heightened agency problem of debt due to increased leverage. By using a difference-in-difference-in-difference analysis, I...

Previous studies argue that takeover targets’ CEOs can use high leverage as a signal for commitment to undertaking value-enhancing projects, thus deterring the takeover attempts since the bankruptcy risk associated with high leverage can serve as an effective governance mechanism. This paper...

This study provides evidence suggesting that CEOs’ physical fitness has a positive impact on firm value, consistent with the beneficial effects of fitness on, e.g., cognitive functions, stress coping and job performance. For each of the years 2001 to 2011, we define S&P 1500 CEOs as fit if...

We provide evidence for a positive impact of CEO fitness on firm value (Tobin's Q). For each of the years 2001 to 2011, we define S&P 1500 CEOs as fit if they finish a marathon. Fit CEOs are associated with higher firm profitability and M&A announcement returns. Effects on firm value are...

We find that CEO fitness positively affects firm value (Tobin's Q). For each of the years 2001 to 2011, we define S&P 1500 CEOs as fit if they finish a marathon. Fit CEOs are associated with higher firm profitability and M&A announcement returns. Effects on firm value are strongest for CEOs with...

This study finds a positive relation between CEO fitness and firm value. For each of the years 2001 to 2011, we define CEOs of S&P 1500 companies as being fit if they finish a marathon. The literature suggests that fitness moderates stress and positively affects cognitive functions and...

We examine firm value consequences of anti-takeover regulation, exploiting the staggered announcement and implementation of an anti-takeover regulation in the U.K. We show that, on average, takeover protection increases firm value. This effect is partly driven by innovative firms expanding their...

This study provides evidence on the disciplinary role of failed takeover attempts. We find that the likelihood of CEO turnover in target firms following failed takeover attempts is 21% greater than non-target firms matched on the basis of industry, past stock returns, size, and market-to-book...

Using a hand-collected data set of private firm acquisitions and IPOs, this paper develops the first empirical analysis in the literature of the "IPO valuation premium puzzle," which refers to a situation where many private firms choose to be acquired rather than to go public at higher...

Corporate strategic Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) mean focus on growth (e.g. revenue growth) and aim to enhance the firm's competitive position. The academic literature reports however, an extremely high failure rate of strategic M&A – their outcomes are very difficult to forecast and they...