摘要：This paper looks at mergers and acquisitions of companies. Specifically, the paper reviews the backdrop of mergers and takeovers, their history, types and reasons, prospects of productivity, synergy, growth, reduction of risk, and associated challenges. The analysis is conducted in the light of mergers and acquisitions in Europe and the United States, which are hotbeds of M&A activities. Through the selected cases, different pre- and post-merger situations are carefully analyzed. The findings are presented in both quantitative and qualitative forms, and the discussion elucidates the findings in light of existing literature on mergers and acquisitions. The paper concludes with solutions to some of the key challenges that mergers and acquisitions face. This exposition contains both text and graphical information and representation of information regarding mergers and acquisition and it provides succinct but relevant analysis of mergers in the 21st century.
