Shark Repellent

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Shark Repellent'

Slang term for any one of a number of measures taken by a company to fend off an unwanted or hostile takeover attempt. In many cases, a company will make special amendments to its charter or bylaws that become active only when a takeover attempt is announced or presented to shareholders with the goal of making the takeover less attractive or profitable to the acquisitive firm.

Also known as a "porcupine provision".
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Shark Repellent'

Most companies want to decide their own fates in the marketplace, so when the sharks attack, shark repellent can send the predator off to look for a less feisty target.

While the concept is a noble one, many shark repellent measures are not in the best interests of shareholders, as the actions may damage the company's financial position and interfere with management's ability to focus on critical business objectives. Some examples of shark repellents are poison pills, scorched earth policies, golden parachutes and safe harbor strategies

Related Definitions

  • Hostile Takeover

    The acquisition of one company (called the target company) by another (called the acquirer) that is accomplished not by coming to an agreement with the target company's management, but ...
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  • Leveraged Recapitalization

    A strategy where a company takes on significant additional debt with the purpose of either paying a large dividend or repurchasing shares. The result is a far more financially leveraged ...
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  • Lobster Trap

    A strategy used by a target firm to prevent a hostile takeover. In a lobster trap, the company passes a provision preventing anyone with more than 10% ownership from converting ...
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    • Pac Man

      A form of defense used in a hostile takeover situation. The target firm turns around and tries to take over the company that has made the hostile bid.
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    • People Pill

      A defensive strategy to ward off a hostile takeover. Management threatens that, in the event of a takeover, the entire management team will resign.
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    • Poison Pill

      A strategy used by corporations to discourage hostile takeovers. With a poison pill, the target company attempts to make its stock less attractive to the acquirer. There are two types of ...
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    • Macaroni Defense

      An approach taken by a company that does not want to be taken over. The company issues a large number of bonds with the condition they must be redeemed at a high price if the company is ...
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    • Safe Harbor

      1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so ...
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    • Scorched Earth Policy

      An anti-takeover strategy that a firm undertakes by liquidating its valuable and desired assets and assuming liabilities in an effort to make the proposed takeover unattractive to the ...
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    • Shark Watcher

      A firm specializing in the early detection of takeovers. The firm's primary business is usually the solicitation of proxies for client corporations.
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    • Sleeping Beauty

      A company that is considered prime for takeover, but has not yet been approached by an acquiring company. A company may be considered a sleeping beauty for a variety of reasons, ...
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    • Suicide Pill

      A defensive strategy by which a target company engages in an activity that might actually ruin the company rather than prevent the hostile takeover. Also known as the "Jonestown Defense."
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