A standstill agreement is a contractual arrangement used in various financial and corporate contexts to maintain the status quo for a specified period. In mergers and acquisitions, it prevents a potential acquirer from purchasing additional shares or launching a hostile takeover without the target company’s consent. This allows the target company to control the negotiation process and protect its interests. For example, in 2017, Glencore plc and Bunge Ltd. entered into a standstill agreement to prevent Glencore from making a formal bid for Bunge until a later date.