Global Antitakeover Devices

48 Pages Posted: 18 Aug 2018 Last revised: 9 Jan 2019

See all articles by Kobi Kastiel

Kobi Kastiel

Tel Aviv University - Buchmann Faculty of Law; Harvard Law School, Program on Corporate Governance; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)

Adi Libson

Bar-Ilan University - Faculty of Law; Van-Leer Institute

Date Written: August 6, 2018

Abstract

This Article explores a “hidden” mechanism that insulates management from hostile takeovers and activist intervention: the global antitakeover device (“GAD”). A GAD is based on the ability of public firms to “mix and match” between different forms of regulations through cross-listing in multiple stock exchanges or incorporation in foreign jurisdictions. This action subjects any hostile engagement with these firms to multiple jurisdictions’ regulatory frameworks and creates regulatory barriers, complexity, and uncertainty. This Article provides a comprehensive analysis of these GADs, the costs they generate to potential bidders, and the unique feature they have in comparison to traditional antitakeover devices. GADs are not an isolated phenomenon. Their potential economic impact is significant, as one in seven firms traded on U.S. exchanges are incorporated or cross-listed in foreign jurisdictions. Moreover, the impact of these devices could extend beyond the market for corporate control, as foreign firms could also enjoy a partial insulation from activist hedge funds. The Article also offers policy recommendations for overcoming GADs’ insulation from takeover attempts and activism.

Keywords: corporations, cross listing, dual-listing, corporate inversions, antitakeover devices, corporate governance, agency costs, globalization

JEL Classification: G32, G34, K22

Suggested Citation

Kastiel, Kobi and Libson, Adi, Global Antitakeover Devices (August 6, 2018). Yale Journal on Regulation, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3226773

Kobi Kastiel

Tel Aviv University - Buchmann Faculty of Law ( email )

Ramat Aviv
Tel Aviv, 69978
Israel

HOME PAGE: http://https://en-law.tau.ac.il/profile/kastiel

Harvard Law School, Program on Corporate Governance ( email )

1575 Massachusetts
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) ( email )

c/o the Royal Academies of Belgium
Rue Ducale 1 Hertogsstraat
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Adi Libson (Contact Author)

Bar-Ilan University - Faculty of Law ( email )

Faculty of Law
Ramat Gan, 52900
Israel
97225631156 (Phone)

Van-Leer Institute ( email )

43 Jabotinsky Street
POB 4070
Jerusalem, 91040
Israel
9725631156 (Phone)

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