In business, a takeover or acquisition happens when one company buys another company. The company that is the one buying is called the "acquirer" or the "bidder" and the one that is being bought is called the "target".

There are four types of takeovers: friendly, hostile, reverse, or back-flip takeovers. Friendly takeovers happen when the people in charge of the company agree with being taken over. Hostile takeovers happen when they don't agree. Reverse takeovers are when a private company takes over a .. Back-flip takeovers happen when the acquiring company becomes a part of the target company.