Scorched-Earth Plan
Scorched-Earth Plan
A slang expression for a defensive tactic used by an unwilling corporate takeover target to make itself less attractive to a buyer.
Scorched-earth tactics include selling off assets or entering into long-term contractual commitments. A difficulty with such maneuvers is that they tend to be irreversible and may permanently harm the company. As a result, they tend to be used as a last resort in a takeover struggle.
Cross-references
Mergers and Acquisitions.