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The Global Insight

Will a merger increase profits?

Author

James Olson

Updated on February 28, 2026

A merger occurs when two firms join together to form one. The new firm will have an increased market share, which helps the firm gain economies of scale and become more profitable. The merger will also reduce competition and could lead to higher prices for consumers.

Why do mergers destroy value?

One report by KPMG concluded that more than half of mergers destroy shareholder value while one third made no difference at all. The reasons for failed mergers include tangible accounting and operation failures, but the most complex reasons deal with people, culture and human emotion.

How do mergers create value?

Create value from your merger in five steps

  1. Build a compelling value-creation story and communicate it clearly.
  2. Leverage synergies and opportunities for transformation.
  3. Start early to shape the integration strategy.
  4. Over-invest early on cultural integration.
  5. Keep the business running.

Do all mergers and acquisitions create value for shareholders?

An important empirical question in M&A research is whether the M&A increases acquiring company shareholder value. Assuming that M&As generate positive net present value, the answer should be a resounding yes. However, financial research is not decisive on this issue.

How is value added in mergers and acquisitions?

It is not a straightforward process to estimate the value addition of a merger or an acquisition. This is because there is a wide range of factors to be considered before it can be concluded that such a transaction has created any value.

Is it true that mergers destroy shareholder value?

The perception that mergers and acquisitions destroy shareholder value may be out of date. For years, debate has raged over the value of mergers and acquisitions. Studies have tended to find that M&A is a surefire way to destroy shareholder value in acquiring firms.

What happens to the market when a merger is announced?

At the times when merger deals are announced, the combined returns are usually positive both statistically and economically. On average, the overall value of both acquirer and acquired increases, which indicates that the market believes the announced deals will create value.

How long does it take to realize value from a merger?

It’s registering record activity this year – perhaps surpassing 2016’s $260 billion mark – plus higher multiples and growing interest from activist investors. Although there is often an implicit assumption that mergers yield value, actually realizing value is not always straightforward, with companies often taking 2-3 years to get full returns.