Why acquire one company over another?

When it comes to case studies in which one has to make a recommendation either (a) between various different companies (either to acquire, or by whom to be acquired), or (b) whether or not a company is a good target for a merger or acquisition, what metrics are the best to look for?

For example: assuming you wanted to go for a strategic buyer since they're usually willing to pay more, would you prefer a company with more revenue or a higher EBITDA margin, with more cash, etc. - what would drive a decision there?

And if you could ask for any more information aside from the basic financials (revenue, EBITDA, net income, market cap, share price, cash, debt, etc.), what would you ask for?

3 Comments
 

You can look at historical deals to find acquirers that complete often but really it comes down to getting into each potential acquirer to see how the bolt on would integrate. Do they specialize in a niche the acquirer is looking to expand? Are there cost efficiencies for the bolt on because of the acquirer's scale? Does the acquisition enable the post-merger company to take more control of their supply chain/integrate vertically? Had to do a little of this for real companies but it was back when I was an intern, so take it as you will

 

Thank you, I appreciate the help.

Would you generally say, then, that if the acquirer is larger it is a better fit inasmuch as it can more easily take advantage of cost efficiencies? I suppose there are issues with cultural fit to consider in that case, but indeed that is the point of having pros and cons of a deal.

 

Et blanditiis enim voluptas modi. Velit quia sed et tempore. Voluptas sit sit rerum quo perferendis quaerat.

Ut iusto quas est aut. Magnam explicabo et animi beatae possimus est qui. Et doloremque quia eos. Sit est perferendis nostrum tempora fugit minus. Sit est corrupti iste et tempora.

Dolor perspiciatis id minus dolor nobis. Ratione iste sit nisi culpa magni occaecati. Et nisi rerum qui tenetur recusandae distinctio hic. Occaecati velit et perferendis voluptatibus excepturi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”