Review and evaluate a current merger proposal or hostile take$-$over bid. After understanding the facts choose a recommendation either for or against the current proposed acquisition. Prepare your presentation in support of your decision. Major topics should include:

The background of each company and a summary of key the events to date. The majority of your paper should be focused on your recommendation and supporting details.

I. Background$/$Introduction $(20$ Points$)$

Situation $$begin the section with an overview of the company$$s current situation$/$circumstances$,$ its strategy, and the steps it has taken previously relevant to the case analysis. Avoid recounting all the facts and information in the case. Conclude with a discussion of the problem$/$issue facing the company $($see note below$).$

Problem$($s$)/$critical issue$($s$)$ to be addressed $$ this should provide a sharply focused diagnosis of the issues facing the organization and exactly what needs to be addressed $$ it should be clear and complete.

II$.$ Assessment $-$ Analysis and Evaluation $(25$ Points$)$Decision Criteria $$ identify key decision criteria against which you will evaluate alternatives in developing your recommendation. The criterion should be listed in bullet format and must be measurable and related to the problem statement.$$Analyze and Evaluate the Alternatives $$ this is an analysis of the case data and is usually the hardest part of the document. The objective is to determine the cause of the problem$($s$)$ and the effect it is having on the company $-$ analyze and assess the alternatives identified to resolve the problem$($s$).$

$3$

$*$Provide a detailed SWOT analysis for the companies or companies.

$*$In the analysis, apply theories and models from the text.

$*$Support conclusions and $/$or assumptions with specific references to the case.

$*$Evaluate the financial capacity of the firm.

$*$Describe the competitive industry environment.

$*$Crunch the numbers $$ a thorough assessment of the case exhibits will help the student $$discover the story told by the data $($which may not always be the same as what $$management recounts in the case.$)$

$*$Develop the exhibits$/$back$-$up support to present more clearly the main points from $$the analysis. $$III$.$ Recommendation $(30$ Points$)$Provide a set of specific recommendations. The recommendations should meet the decision criteria and address the problem$/$issues identified and analyzed. The recommendations should follow logically from the analysis and should offer a reasonable prospect for success. The company must be financially able to carry out the recommendation. The recommendation must be acceptable to the persons involved and doable based on the organization$$s competence and the prevailing market and environmental constraints. Be alert to the downside risks of the recommendation as well as the upside potential. $$IV$.$ Supporting Documentation and Format $(25$ Points$)$Exhibits $$ include a minimum of five exhibits $($chart$/$graph$/$table$)$ used in the support of the recommendation. Put these in the document and wrap text around as needed and label Exhibit $1,$ Exhibit $2,$ Exhibit $3,$ etc. Clearly label each chart, axis, column, row, etc. Note data sources.

$$ At least three exhibits must be a financial$/$numbers graph$/$chart$/$table $-$ an analysis of financial data