An Increase in Earnings Per Share After a Merger May

question 65

Multiple Choice

An increase in earnings per share after a merger may not indicate increased value if the:

• A) number of shares has increased.
• B) price of the acquirer's stock increases.
• C) price-earnings ratios were different in the premerger firms.
• D)firm's additional earnings are spent on legal expenses of the merger.

---

Definitions:

Illusory Correlation

The tendency to perceive a connection between variables, typically events or behaviors, where no such relationship exists.

First Instinct Fallacy

The misconception that an individual's initial answer or gut reaction is always the correct choice, especially in the context of test-taking or decision-making.

Ironic Processing

A psychological process where attempts to suppress certain thoughts make them more likely to surface.

Counterfactual Thinking

The mental process of imagining alternative scenarios and outcomes that could have happened, but didn't.