A STUDY ON THE IMPACTS OF RMB EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS ON ENTERPRISES’ CROSS-BORDER M&AS

Abstract

Do renminbi (RMB) exchange rate fluctuations affect cross-border M&A activities of enterprises at the micro level? This paper centers on this major issue, and we study and analyze the impacts of RMB internationalization on the magnitude and success of cross-border M&As. We investigate the impacts of exchange rate changes on the magnitude and success of enterprise-level cross-border M&As by developing nominal exchange rate (NER) and real exchange rate (RER) volatility indicators using data from the Thomson Financial SDC Platinum Merger and Acquisitions database. By applying a variety of indicators and subsample estimates in the study, we find that exchange rate volatility (of either NER or RER) is significantly negatively correlated with enterprise-level cross-border M&As, suggesting that RMB exchange rate movements deter cross-border M&As to some extent; fluctuations in RMB exchange rate have a significant negative impact on the success of cross-border M&As, and the exchange rate risk induced by exchange rate changes increases the risk of cross-border M&As; meanwhile, exchange rate fluctuations have a significant inhibitory effect on conglomerate M&As in addition to horizontal cross-border M&As. In addition, exchange rate fluctuations have a significant inhibitory effect on the profit-oriented cross-border M&As of enterprises in non-state-owned-or-controlled industries. Therefore, we should take prudent actions to prevent the impacts of RMB exchange rate movements on cross-border M&As, actively tap the potential of bilateral investment treaties in securing cross-border M&As, promote coordination between RMB exchange rate regulation iimechanisms and the “go global” strategy, and improve the level of internationalization and competitiveness of Chinese enterprises.