Religious similarity in mergers and acquisitions

• Pairs of firms with more similar regional religious compositions are more likely to engage in M&As. • Such religious similar pairs of firms in M&A experience improved merger announcement returns. • Religious alignment is also linked to superior post-merger operating performance and efficiency. • Employee integration serves as a critical channel in post-merger synergy. This study explores the impact of regional religious similarity on merger and acquisition (M&A) likelihood and post-merger outcomes, diverging from prior research that treats religious adherents as a homogeneous group. Analyzing a comprehensive sample of mergers, we find that pairs of firms with more similar regional religious compositions are more likely to engage in M&As and experience improved merger announcement returns. This religious alignment between acquiring and target firms is also linked to superior post-merger operating performance and efficiency. Cross-sectional analyses reveal that employee integration serves as a critical channel through which these performance gains are realized. Market reactions to merger announcements are more favorable when the target firm has a larger workforce, operates in the same industry, or the acquiring firm is more diversified than the target. Our findings suggest that religious similarity fosters mutual understanding, builds trust, and reduces friction in collaborative efforts, making it a significant driver of post-merger synergy. These insights extend beyond the context of any single market, highlighting the broader role of cultural alignment in enhancing M&A success.