This paper investigates the effects of horizontal acquisitions on the performance of target firms in the 1990's. Using French manufacturing firm-level data, we examine two main indicators of performance: the profit and the productive efficieny. We distinguish domestic from cross-in-difference...

Most often, the competition authorities approve combinations based on the tradeoff between the expected efficiency gains and the likely effect on market power creation. However, the realities may be different from the expected synergy creation since merger regulations are ex ante in nature. The...