Prediction of acquisition targets in the UK: a multicriteria approachPrediction of acquisition targets in the UK: a multicriteria approach Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-11-182004enThis paper illustrates the use of a multicriteria decision aid technique for the development of a model for the prediction of acquisition targets. A sample of 76 UK firms acquired over the period 2000–2002 matched with 76 non-acquired firms is used to develop a model that discriminates between acquired and non-acquired firms. Back-testing results on the discriminating ability of the model for up to three years prior to acquisition are reported along with a comparison with model developed with other well-known classification techniques, namely discriminant analysis, logistic regression and artificial neural networks. The results indicate that the proposed multicriteria approach is well suited in predicting corporate acquisitions compared to other techniques.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Operational Research, An International Journal42191-211 Michael Doumpos Δουμπος Μιχαλης Kosmidou, Kyriaki Pasiouras Fotios Πασιουρας Φωτιος Springer Verlag Acquisitions Discrimination Mergers Multicriteria decision aid