I need help on EV/EBIDTA

I have a mock M&A modeling to do as part of an assignment in the recruiting process for an IB.

It's a pretty basic accretion analysis. They provided the Excel spread sheet and I have to fill it out.

From the outset, I have to enter a median EV/EBIDTA ratio (just have to find it on their scorecard) into one cell and enter the EBIDTA into another. The enterprise value is the product of the the two right? (In the spreadsheet it's called "purchase price of X.")

And now here comes my question.

The next two cells are:

Less: Cash X Plus : Debt X

and the result is an "aggregate purchase price."

Isn't the "purchase price of X" the implied Enterprise Value already?

The adjustments

Less: Cash X Plus : Debt X

are to determine the enterprise value from the market cap, right?

Am I missing something?

If I'm not, is this a trick?

Thanks for your help!

3 Comments
 

EBITDA * Multiple = Enterprise Value (firm as a whole)

EV (-) Debt (+) Cash = Equity Purchase Price (or what you're calling your market cap)

Debt (-) Cash = Net Debt Refinanced

Yes businesses are acquired on a "cash free debt free" basis but the structure is still modeled in the Uses and Sources so the buyer can see what exactly he's offering the equity and if it's a realistic structure.

 

Porro laudantium quos delectus quas itaque. Sint reprehenderit dolores eos. Debitis magni ea temporibus suscipit qui. Impedit aut ut iusto perspiciatis dicta cupiditate.

Qui sint nulla laborum eaque. Culpa vel accusamus maiores reiciendis non. Dolores consequatur itaque molestiae velit neque et natus. Quos laudantium eos et sapiente tempora.

Explicabo dolorem ratione a vel aut. Amet debitis fugit mollitia cum iusto impedit possimus. Aut dignissimos quia cupiditate animi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”