målbolag

Målbolag is the term used in Swedish corporate finance to denote the company that is the subject of a takeover or acquisition. It can be a private or publicly listed company, and it is the company that the buyer seeks to gain control of through an offer, merger, or other transaction.

In a takeover process, the målbolag is involved through its board and management, which evaluate the bid, negotiate terms, and decide on a recommended course of action to shareholders. The target may continue operating independently, undertake changes in governance, or be integrated into the acquiring group after completion. The buyer’s approach can be a friendly bid or a hostile one, depending on whether the target’s board supports the offer.

Regulatory and governance aspects vary by jurisdiction, but in Sweden takeovers of listed targets are guided by rules designed to ensure equal treatment of shareholders and timely information disclosure. Offers may be cash, stock, or a combination, and are typically followed by due diligence, definitive offers, and a closing process that may include approvals from competition authorities and, in some cases, shareholder votes.

Common transaction structures include share deals, where the buyer acquires the shares of the målbolag, and asset deals or mergers, which can involve reorganizing ownership and integrating the target into the buyer’s group. The concept emphasizes the target’s role and protections during the path to control change.