This is the definitive sourcebook for collecting information required for corporate merger and acquisition research. A particular strength of the Guide is its focus on time-sharing online databanks for information retrieval. Readers can learn which databanks can be used for M&A research, and search examples and techniques are described. The authors use their research expertise to identify appropriate strategies, provide database tips and techniques, and point out unique features of the many M&A research tools discussed in the Guide. In addition, they discuss issues such as database cost and comprehensiveness and the currency of information delivery by identifying those databases offering current awareness capabilities. Examples of search sessions in electronic databases are provided to illustrate the creation and use of current awareness profiles.

Monitoring M&A activity, researching specific deals, using Securities and Exchange Commission filings, researching with specialized M&A transaction databases, using electronic databanks to find acquisition candidates, tracking complex corporate relationships and international M&As are the primary subjects of coverage. The database categories--both print and electronic sources--include: filings databases, transaction databases, directory databases, monitoring databases, financial databases, legal databases and bibliographic databases. The Guide is a tool for the users of corporate change information that include economists, accountants, attorneys, financial analysts and officers, managers, academics, and students of business.