Guide to mergers
The economy today is not stabilized. Even big companies have to confront the ups and downs that come their way. But the only thing that keeps them going is survival. They have to survive in the market and progress swiftly or gradually. One strategy to advancement is that of 'mergers' between companies. There are numerous mergers that take place locally but they do not have a great effect on the market especially the consumers. But the mergers that take place at the national or international level have a profound impact on the economies of the concerned countries.

There are different reasons behind a merger of two or more companies. But first of all there exist diverse types of mergers.
a) Horizontal Mergers- where two competing companies conjoin to form a single large company. The companies in horizontal mergers are selling the same product in the same market and so are contenders to each other. Such a merger can have a tremendous influence on the market from creating monopoly to escalating prices of the commodity. This is precisely the reason that The Federal Trade.

b) Commission that is worried about the market and the consumers keeps a hawk's eye on such mergers and at times detains the companies from merging in the interest of the people.

c) The Vertical Mergers- are the mergers between a supplier and the distributor company of the supplies. This is an anti competitive merger but can be highly beneficial to the company. It is because the distributor will no more have to pay for the manufacturing of the supplies, it gets the product at the base price. So there is good cost saving due to this. Vertical merger also rules out lot of competition from the market.

d) Market Extension Merger is between the companies selling same product but in different markets. This merger enhances the market for the two companies since they now act as one sole company.

e) Product Extension Merger is like the one between an eminent company making motor parts and another that makes their own cars. So, the companies involved here sell different but more or less the same product in the same market. This merger promotes the sale of both the companies significantly.

f) Conglomeration is a merger where the concerned companies have nothing in common to sell.

There are various reasons behind merger of companies. Like
a) Synergy factor prompts the merger of most of the companies. The synergy in business pertains to the cost saving and revenue enhancement. The companies after merger decrease the staff keeping only the skilled labor, work with a single managing director, CEO etc. So there is good outlay saving. Moreover the economy of the sale i.e. the purchasing power of the company booms after merger.

b) To increase the output and rule the market- many mergers are made with the intention to oust the competition and jointly rule the market. This presupposes healthy relations between the competing companies.

c) Mergers also take place when a company is not able to perform well due to some or the other cause like the lack of required investment in the form of capital, tremendous competition etc. In such a situation this company can merge with one its parent company or any other company that has faith in the prior goodwill of the declining company and in its potential to grow and enhance. So companies also merge in order to overcome their internal inconsistencies.

d) Many a mergers besides economically are also politically driven.

e) Acquisitions which imply taking over of one stronger company with the other weaker one are also at times veiled by the name of merger.

However, the directors who plan to merge their companies should actually contemplate over it, keeping in mind all the possible pros and cons. They must seek advice from neutral financial consultants who do are more inclined towards the welfare of the company and not their own. Their own benefit is also hidden in a merger since the wages of the employees increase with the advancement due to merger. So it is recommended to take advice from all those who are the well wishers of the company before taking any concrete step in this direction.

Mansi gupta writes about mergers .


What is a Bridge Loan?
A bridge loan, which can also be called a hard money loan, is a short-term loan that is used until a person or company can secure permanent financing. Basically, they "bridge" the gap between today's need for immediate cash to pay bills and the final closing of a pending investment deal or long-term financing package.
Bridge loans are usually offered for terms of 12-36 months and many can be refinanced into low cost, long-term financing through a lender. Bridge loans are not only for shorter terms, but are also needed to close quickly, so the borrower can take advantage of the opportunity to arrange for a longer term loan when they are ready. Speed is also an important factor in financing a bridge loan because the borrower may be trying to restructure debt or avoid claming bankruptcy.
Some borrowers look for a bridge loan to span the gap between the two transactions of buying a new home and selling the old one. However, most bridge loans are used in purchasing or refinancing commercial real estate. There are mortgage bridge loans and commercial bridge loans for various income properties including; apartments, industrial buildings, retail, hotels, healthcare, and mixed use.

For more information on a bridge loan, visit Security National Capital.


Money management guide
When the prices of commodities are booming and expenditure is increasing in every manner, it becomes essential to make some planning for your income.
• The best way to take care of your money is to plan a budget. A budget should keep a track of all your expenses. The indispensable expenses like education fee of the kids, the bills, the fuel, taxes etc. should be estimated and subtracted from the monthly salary. Then monitor the other likely expenses like gifts on friend's birthday in that month, your anniversary, weekend outing and the like. The amount that is left after reducing the essentials should be planned in such a manner that you end up with little, at times even negligible savings.
'A Penny saved is a Penny earned'. Savings are very crucial in today's life. But many people do not understand the relevance of savings. An individual, who develops the habit of saving money, never falls short of it especially in exigency situations.
If the outlay outweighs the income, situation is called a negative cash flow. In this case you ought to be extra vigilant while spending money. Try to reduce the weekend trips, partying at home or outside, purchasing needless items etc. If possible make a new budget where you have optimized the costs. It then becomes your duty to abide by this budget in order to avoid pitfalls. While if the case is other way round i.e. the cash inflow is more than its outflow, its time to cheer and of course make some savings for the future.

• Next good thing you can do to manage your money is to make investments. Investments can be of different types. You can invest in a property or land, in banks, in stocks etc. The investments you make not only keep your money secure but also give you good returns. Like money that is kept in a fixed deposit in a bank is supplemented with interest amount, the cash invested in purchasing shares of an eminent and successful company, always give a great output etc.
If you are investing in some trust or insurance policies, your wealth will not just be beneficial for you till the time you live; it will also be a financial security for your children and grandchildren in future. So investments generally are rewarding, they do not go futile. But before making any investment, you must enquire about the pros and cons of it. For instance, high risk is involved in investing money in the stock market as the economy is fluctuating unbelievably. Here, you should acquire complete information that when to purchase the stocks and for which company that will never let you down etc. The case is not different with investing in property, but the risk factor is not so high here. The rates for property are never stagnant. So it is better to purchase the land when the market is down and sell it when the prices take a flight. In any case, first acquaint yourself with all the facts and basics, and then only invest. Remember your purpose is to make money from money not to lose with whatever you have.

• Are you a credit card bug? If you are and your expenses do not meet the income, forget the credit cards. The credit card money is charged with high rate of interest. Though it is the easiest form of money, yet it can be very troubling later. People keep on withdrawing the money from the bank's or company's credit and the interest simultaneously keeps on accumulating. Finally, the credit card bill comes as a nightmare to many. So it is better to avoid using credit card wherever possible. Try to use it only in case of an urgent situation.
• Keep an accountant if you yourself are not able to keep a track of all your transactions.

Money Management is simple, if you become a little judicious.
Mansi gupta writes about money management guide .