The focus of m e rger/risk arbitrage is on the securities of companies involved
in mergers and takeovers, both of the acquiring company and the takeover
target. Because of the possibility the merger may not go through, the target
company ’s share price usually carries a “bid premium”, a discount to the
p roposed takeover price (in a cash offer), until the merger or takeover is
finally completed. In a stock offer, the mechanics of the merger arbitrage
strategy are more complex. The acquirer will offer common stock as a form
of payment, either entirely or partially. It is more difficult to evaluate the
expected payoffs, as the price of the target firm ’s stock depends on the other
company ’s share price. Usually, when a stock offer is announced, the target
firm ’s share price rises, while the share price of the bidding company falls.
The arbitrage strategy usually will involve buying the former and short -
selling the latter.