Step 1: Understanding the Concept.
A share swap is a method of paying for a company takeover using shares (stock) instead of cash.
Step 2: Check statement A.
Statement A says the acquiring company pays for the target company using its own stock. This is exactly the standard definition of a share swap, so A is correct.
Step 3: Check statement B.
Statement B describes pledging shares to raise a short-term working-capital loan. That is a loan against shares, not a swap, so B is wrong.
Step 4: Check statement C.
Statement C describes a fresh issue of shares giving existing shareholders extra preferential shares. That is closer to a rights or bonus issue, not a swap, so C is wrong.
Step 5: Final Answer.
Only statement A correctly defines a share swap.