Should I study LBO for FT recruiting?

I have read most of the Rosenbaum book, but I skipped the LBO sections originally. Have you ever had to talk about an LBO or any aspect of them in an IB 1st year analyst interview?

I know it probably doesn't hurt to learn it. But I just want to spend my time wisely and I'd rather focus on networking than learning LBO if it is unnecessary.

 

Yeah when I interviewed FT I had most banks quiz me on basic LBO technicals. Nothing crazy, just know high level basics like what general characteristics make a good LBO target, know how different levels of leverage impact returns, etc.

 
Best Response

The real meat and potatoes of DCF / LBO is the Operating Model and even to some extent Acc./Dil., even though you're smashing two companies together. IMO, if you understand the Operating Model, then you can conceptually plug in all the additional schedules necessary to drive an LBO or DCF.

They're all cash flow based valuations, but with the back-of-the-envelope type LBO questions you'll get in an interview all you need really need to know is that you're adding transaction assumptions, wiping some shit out on the balance sheet, hitting up the P&L to reflect the changes, and watching it flow through to drive some returns.

But I think the understanding for LBO really comes from have a solid foundation in the 3-Financial Statements. So you'd be better suited at this point developing comfort w/ the Operating Model, and then pivoting to LBO and obviously DCF.

Probably not the answer you want to hear, just my two cents.

'Before you enter... be willing to pay the price'
 

Recusandae rerum minima et in velit cumque. Quos officia inventore a odio beatae natus veniam. Quis provident consectetur cupiditate excepturi omnis. Assumenda quam omnis veritatis ipsa et illo blanditiis quod. Quia libero occaecati maiores inventore voluptatem. Impedit amet aut ut atque.

Sed sed non fugit. Numquam ut est eos consectetur itaque sint ut. Consectetur architecto ex eius esse esse quas aut.

Quas beatae est iste quae amet reiciendis. Ipsa voluptas porro dignissimos et. Labore praesentium cumque eum a odio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”