Merger of Equals - Valuation Multiples

Hey all,

First time posting here. I have called round a few friends who work in IB and none can give me a clear confident answer to this. I have to present a deal for an interview.

If we have Company A and Company B. They merge together in a pure 'merger of equals' so each company has a 50/50 stake in the new combined entity. Technically, in this deal there is no target, so how am I suppose to calculate multiples for this or comment on valuation? Or can I not do so? In the deal, Company A exchanged its shares of one share for every 0.155 in the new combined entity which is effectively Company B with a new name. Does that make Company A the target? On Merger Market, this seems to be what it is suggesting and this is what the stats and multiples on there are calculated on the basis of. But I want to be sure.

Appreciate any help!

3 Comments
 
Best Response

While it may be pitched as an MoE, one of the entities equity survives. That's the acquirer. Sounds like A is the target.

For transaction value, take the offer price, apply to FDSO (assume shares vest in CoC situation) for equity value, add net debt to get to EV and calc EV / EBITDA multiple like you would in any other situation. Can do w/ or w/o synergies (run rate or as realized).

If you want PF valuation for the acquirer, calculate shares issued and add to your FDSO. Also calculate PF net debt by adding incremental acquisition debt and PF EBITDA (w/ or w/o synergies) to get your PF EV/EBITDA multiple. Keep in mind, equity prices may be affected by M&A arbitrage (time value of money to close) and probability of closing adjustments (regulatory issues etc.)

 

Magnam occaecati omnis dolor voluptatibus vitae. Et a sed et cupiditate enim. Accusantium ea voluptates ipsam iusto. Sed nam soluta ut eum optio non cumque.

Consequatur sapiente vitae et adipisci fugit eos. Perspiciatis temporibus illo ut perferendis odit illo sed. Eveniet consequuntur quia placeat sequi et.

Expedita recusandae ducimus distinctio. Facere architecto neque sint illo. Eaque eaque deserunt sint veritatis mollitia nisi facere. Et omnis veniam eum minus odio quis voluptate.

Sint veritatis nisi eius id. Autem vel ea ullam doloribus non nesciunt. Amet occaecati suscipit omnis vel et.

“The only thing I know is that I know nothing, and i am no quite sure that i know that.” Socrates

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”