Scorched Earth

Takeover bids normally happens over corporations with some crown jewells. One of takeover defenses consists in making target company unattractive for raiders. This strategy can be implemented by several ways. Like selling or spining off valuable assets, taking serious risky treasury cash management, or with fullfilment of corporate liabilities. Also a defense that pushes to the edge the corporation itself, but my be effective. If all of it is worth the play, that's the question.

Scorched Earth tactic may be some slight attitude as well. Instead of coordinated actions, closer to some sort of Jonestown Defense, specific and precise move can be made. For example, if what's all about is a technology developed, there are several ways to bullet proof access to it or not. Ownership of it can be of a third corporation with nothing to do with the original one, at least officially.

A takeover bid may also trigger an acquisition of some minor corporation by the target company. But if by acting this way, the target company inherit indebtness from this minor company, it can make a difference. Or by making a bid, it does can trigger a selling movement of precious assets by the target company. Anyway it's a confuse defense tectic. Sometimes, board of directors have enough powers to manage like this. But will ever be a controversy against shareholders vote and interest. If this is the right chessmaster move. To be decided also on Courts.

Furhter texts:

Exchange Rate around Mergers Attention with exchange rate and country outside bidders