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Sell a Business Insights
Seller Sentiment Declined in 2023
January 17, 2024 / in Acquire a Business, Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
A seller’s market is when sellers feel they have an advantage or it’s a good time to sell, for instance when demand exceeds supply and there are more interested, active buyers than there are quality deals on the market. In a seller’s market, buyers compete in order to win deals. This typically translates to increased values and more favorable deal terms for the seller. The results of the latest Market Pulse Survey (Q3 2023) show …
Expect M&A to Recover in 2024
December 19, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Al Statz
Global M&A deal value nearly reached a 10-year low in Q3 2023 (Q2 2020 excepted). Deal count and total deal values both declined, as shown in this graph produced by Pitchbook. And these declines were evident across almost all most industry sectors and among all types of acquirers and sellers. However, several factors are pointing to a recovery in M&A activity in 2024. The global total of $1.4 trillion in unspent PE dry powder is …
North American M&A Activity
December 15, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Matthew Gutowsky
As business owners continue to toggle with the idea of selling their business, they often ask us, when is the perfect time to sell? Are current market conditions going to give me the return I am looking for? The graphic above shows M&A activity over the past decade. As you can see, the amount of deals performed each year have remained flat for most of this time period. Instead of attempting to time the market …
M&A Glossary: Multiple
December 15, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
A multiple is a way to measure how much a company is worth. If a company has $2 million in EBITDA and it sells for $10 million, we say it sold at a “5 multiple.” Multiples are used as a valuation tool by analyzing the multiple similar companies obtained in a sale. For example, if a similar business sold in your industry for 6x EBITDA, valuation analysts will use that as an indicator in predicting …
M&A Glossary: Indication of Interest (IOI)
December 11, 2023 / in Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
An IOI is a non-binding letter used to express interest in acquiring a business. The IOI will typically include a value range, due diligence plans, a high-level proposal for deal structure, and expectations for seller transition. An IOI and an LOI are not the same thing. An IOI is like asking someone on a date, while an LOI is closer to an engagement ring. For advice on exit planning or selling a business, contact Al …
Address Culture Conflict Before a Sale
October 26, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
As an owner, one way to maximize value in your business is to demonstrate that you’re not the smartest person in the room. In an ideal state, you work yourself out of a job, moving on to an advisory role while your management team runs day-to-day operations. With that said, it’s equally important that your goals and values are in sync with your managers’. When selling a business, you want to show buyers a positive …
Selling Your Business to an Existing ESOP is a Win-Win
October 5, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Adam Wiskind
While selling your business to a newly formed Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is an intriguing and rewarding exit path, forming an ESOP can be complex and expensive, and is not appropriate for all businesses. But, what if you could sell your business to an existing ESOP company, allowing you to secure your financial future, secure the future success and legacy of your company, and benefit your employees? This is a real possibility for many …
Top 8 Reasons why Buyers Walk Away from an Acquisition
September 19, 2023 / in Exit Planning, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
Deciding to pursue a merger or acquisition can be a complicated process fraught with risk. Even when the financials look good and the potential rewards seem great, there are several reasons why a buyer might decide to walk away from a deal. Understanding these reasons can help sellers prepare for negotiations and improve the likelihood of a successful outcome. Here are eight common reasons why M&A buyers might decide not to proceed with a deal: …
Exit Strategies Group Advises California Caster in Strategic Sale
September 5, 2023 / in News, Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
California Caster, a respected and long-established industrial hardware design and distribution company located in Oakland, CA, was recently acquired by OneMonroe, an international industrial hardware manufacturing and distribution company. Exit Strategies Group, Inc. advised the seller in the transaction. Terms of the transaction are confidential. California Caster was founded in San Francisco more than 70 years ago. Company services include the design and distribution of casters, hand trucks and other industrial hardware solutions. Customers …
Strong Business Acquisition Prices so far in 2023
July 25, 2023 / in Sell a Business / by Exit Strategies
Valuations on deals completed in the first quarter of 2023 averaged 8.0x Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) adjusted EBITDA, rebounding from the 6.9x average recorded in 4Q 2022 and in line with the 8.2x average set in the third quarter. In Q1 2023, M&A transaction multiples experienced a rebound, indicating increased valuation levels compared to the previous quarter. This rebound despite increasing price of debt demonstrates a positive sign for sellers. For transactions between $10M-$50M, multiples …