Considering the robust global M&A markets of the last few years, it is unsurprising that activist investors have increasingly sought to leverage these transactions for their own gain. To that end, shareholder activists have developed a variety of M&A-related strategies.
Gauging M&A trends in agribusiness
Although the agricultural sector has largely been segmented in the past, there appears to be a continued trend of consolidation in the industry. As the global population has grown, so too has the demand for food and associated goods. But
Canadian Securities Administrators are seeking comments on soliciting dealer arrangements
The Canadian Securities Administrators (the “CSA”) have issued CSA Staff Notice 61-303 and Request for Comment – Soliciting Dealer Arrangements (the “Notice”) on the use of soliciting dealer arrangements. “Soliciting dealer arrangements” generally refer to agreements
Shareholder activism in M&A
As noted by Kingsdale Advisors in a recently published report, corporate directors and their legal advisors continue to pay insufficient attention to shareholder activism in M&A. The authors of the 2017 special report caution that not only have shareholder
Currency fluctuations and M&A
In recent report entitled Dealing with exchange rates – Currency fluctuation and M&A, Toppan Vite, in partnership with MergerMarket, examined the effect that currency events – both short term and long term – have on M&A activity. In the
The end of the Swiss franc ceiling: M&A implications
On January 15, 2015, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) shocked global financial markets when it made an unannounced move to end its long-standing cap of the Swiss franc. The currency soared and markets fell – and while the
Resurgence of M&A activity in the energy sector
On Monday, Whitecap Resources (TSX:WCP) announced that it had agreed to buy a number of oil and gas properties from Imperial Oil Ltd. (TSX:IMO) for $855 million. This transaction comes on the heels of renewed M&A activity in the energy
Q2 2013 M&A Trends
Canadian M&A Q2 2013 results have not provided the desired relief from lacklustre Q1 results. However, while not much of the lost ground was gained, the sharp decline in M&A activity experienced in the first three months of 2013 appears
Q1 2013 M&A Trends
Canadian M&A continued its decline in Q1 2013, reaching lows not seen since Q1 2009. According to Crosbie & Company Inc.’s Q1 2013 M&A Report, which compared M&A activity results from Q4 2012 to Q1 2013, the market has
New shareholder rights plan proposal may act as catalyst for proxy contests
Last month, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published for comment proposed National Instrument 62-105 (NI 62-105), a discussion on which can be found here. The proposal suggests a new regulatory framework for the treatment of shareholder rights plans or