Both have different advantages to it.
Someone like me who dont want to get involved in the operation of the company but see that the company is doing good and can do better in the future, I would buy the shares of the company in anticipation of the growth in the value of the company and in turn the growth in value of my shares.
But for a company in similar business who want to expand its presence in a differentiated segment and find the operational assets of this company on sale will buy the assets. As it helps them diversify, expand and grow the overall business.
