Do large quoted Belgian companies overpay during business acquisitions ? A look at the 2007-2015 period using the impairment testing on goodwill approach

Abstract

This dissertation assesses whether large quoted Belgian companies overpay when engaging in M&A activities. To do so, a literature review is first presented on the topic of goodwill and on the topic of goodwill write-offs and overpayment. Then, an empirical study on the Belgian market and on the international market is conducted. Based on the here above analysis, we conclude that there is evidence of overpayment although this phenomenon cannot be quantified. Next step could be in-depth analysis based on proprietary information.