Definitions for "M&A"
M&A stands for corporate mergers and acquisitions. Companies use M&As as a tool for business expansion and restructuring. Japanese firms actively resorted to M&As in the late 1980s to expand overseas or diversify their operations. But after the collapse of the bubble economy, an increasing number of such firms have sold off companies they acquired to try and slim down their businesses. M&As have come back into the limelight because more Japanese companies are finding them a useful way of improving their finances under consolidated accounting principles. For example, as part of its group strategy, a company may raise its stake in subsidiaries, while selling off "non-core" subsidiaries even if they are making money. The government, for its part, is introducing a legal and institutional framework to facilitate corporate M&As, such as lifting the ban on holding companies and stock swaps. As a result, companies can now form holding companies engaged in core business operations, and use a stock-swap system which eliminates the requirement for cash to be used in making acquisitions.
Collaboration around all activities related to a merger or acquisition. Includes storage and sharing of deal structuring, tasks, legal requirements, etc.
Brokerage of acquisitions and divestments of companies or company divisions. The phrase describes a division of banks that, among other things, consults companies on mergers and takeovers.