Price‐to‐earnings multiplies and mergers and acquisition

Abstract

This paper examines the assertion that the financial market pays fixed PE multiples and that the recognition of goodwill and subsequent amortization depresses earnings and stock prices, putting U.S. firms in a competitive disadvantage in the international merger and acquisition arena. Evidence from this study suggests that, contrary to common belief, price/earnings ratio expands by a sufficient amount in response to amortization, making amortization irrelevant to stock valuation.