Acquirer's ESG performance, Value and M&A abnormal returns
Master Thesis
Author
Μαντζάνας, Χρήστος
Mantzanas, Christos
Date
2023-02View/ Open
Keywords
Εταιρική βιωσιμότητα ; ESG (Περιβαλλοντική Κοινωνική Διακυβέρνηση) ; Θεωρία ενδιαφερόμενων ; Θεωρία μετόχων ; Θεωρία αντιπροσωπείας ; Βιώσιμη επένδυση ; Συγχωνεύσεις και εξαγορές ; Tobin’s Q ; Μη αναμενόμενη απόδοση ; Corporate sustainability ; ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) ; Stakeholder theory ; Shareholders theory ; Agency theory ; Sustainable investing ; Mergers & acquisitions ; Abnormal returnAbstract
In this study, I examine the relationship between the acquirers’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and firms’ value. Also, I examine the effect of ESG performance on acquirer firms’ abnormal returns around the announcement dates of M&A deals. Based on event-study method using a sample of 482 completed US domestic mergers from 2010 to 2021, in which acquiring firms' ESG performance ratings are available, I find strong evidence that acquirers' ESG performance has a significant positive effect on the firms’ value, when using Tobin's Q as the dependent variable (p<0.1). Also, I identify the impact of ESG performance on cumulative abnormal returns. Empirical results suggest that ESG performance significantly increases firms’ cumulative abnormal returns (p<0.01) in short term. The results are robust that consider a range of 56 trading days (-28, +28) as an event window period, ESG performance measurement, and other control variables.