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Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) continue to be important corporate events for UK firms. Over the decade of 2002-2011 alone, there were as many as 10,551 completed deals that involved UK firms. These M&A deals tend to involve significant corporate resources and heavy reliance on external debt. This suggests a link between firms´ ability to secure external capital and their M&A activities. Within this context, this book examines how the past/existing financing leverage of UK firms influence their ability to initiate and complete M&A deals. Specifically, the book highlights the differing impact of over-leveraging, under-leveraging, and "optimal"-leveraging on firms´ ability to undertake M&A transactions. In addition, the book explores how the potential of M&A deals to diversify the cash flows of acquiring firms may enhance corporate borrowing/debt capacities. This book is a valuable resource for graduate and advanced undergraduate students as well as researchers in corporate finance and managers with responsibility over corporate financing and investment decisions.

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Henry hails from Ghana and is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting & Finance at Liverpool John Moores University. He is a Chartered Accountant and also holds MSc and PhD degrees from Loughborough University. His research expertise is in the broad area of corporate finance but he has particular interest in capital structure and mergers & acquisitions.

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