Shareholder Suits Targeted Biggest Mergers, Takeovers of 2018

Investor-led lawsuits plagued some of the priciest mergers and acquisitions of 2018, targeting dealmakers across several industries.

Thirty-five of 58 deals with price tags of $5 billion or more were hit with at least one lawsuit in federal court or Delaware state court. That’s according to a Bloomberg Law analysis of acquisitions of U.S. companies that were either completed, terminated, or awaiting completion as of Dec. 31.

High-profile mergers can be major catalysts for litigation, and oftentimes deal size plays a prominent role in attracting those complaints. A majority of the most litigated transactions last year were also the most ...