Regardless of their category or structure, all mergers and acquisitions have one common goal – 'they are all meant to create synergy that makes the value of the combined companies greater than the sum of the two parts'.

Mergers and acquisitions can have multifarious goals however arriving at a synergy that makes the combined value of the merged entity much higher than those of individual entities is always a target. The success of a merger or acquisition depends on whether the planned synergy is achieved or not. Synergy may take the form of revenue enhancement or cost savings or some other form which benefits the companies. By merging, the companies hope to benefit from the following: Becoming bigger: Many companies use M&A to grow in size and compete their rivals. While it can take years or decades to double the size of a company through organic growth, this can be achieved much more rapidly through mergers or acquisitions. Pre-empted competition: This is a very powerful motivation for mergers and acquisitions, and is the primary reason why M&A activity occurs in distinct cycles. Domination: Companies also engage in M&A to dominate their sector. However, since a combination of two behemoths would result in a potential monopoly, such a transaction would have to face regulatory authorities. Tax benefits: Companies also use M&A for tax purposes, although this may be an implicit rather than an explicit motive. Economies of scale: Mergers also translate into improved economies of scale which refers to reduced costs per unit that arise from increased total output of a product. Acquiring new technology: To stay competitive, companies need to stay on top of technological developments and their business applications. By buying a smaller company with unique technologies, a large company can maintain or develop a competitive edge. Improved market reach and industry visibility: Companies buy other companies to reach new markets and grow revenues and earnings. A merger may expand two companies' marketing and distribution, giving new sales opportunities. A merger can also improve a company's standing in the investment community: bigger firms often have an easier time raising capital than smaller ones.