This study explores the investment behavior of underperforming chief executive officers (CEOs) on merger frequency and the effect on acquirers’ shareholder wealth of merger bids in U.S. industrial firms. We find that underperforming CEOs are more likely to make acquisitions, especially...

This study explores the behavior of underperforming chief executive officers (CEOs) on merger frequency and the effect on acquirers’ shareholder wealth of merger bids in U.S. industrial firms from 1994 to 2018. We find that underperforming CEOs are more likely to make acquisitions, especially...