Analyzing firm's cash profile for LBO

Hi all,

I was asked to analyze the cash profile for a potential LBO candidate in a case study (and of course to finally decide if the firm would be suitable). What aspects would you usually consider, I was planning to analyze the following:

- Minimum cash balance: e.g. through historic levels of cash/ changes per year/ cash in proportion to total yearly expenses = to analyze how much minimum cash the company needs every year and cannot be used to repay debt

- FCF conversion: e.g. % of FCF in relation to EBITDA; here historical development and levels, incl. benchmarking versus peer set and industry = to see if the cash profile has improved and how the company does generate cash vs. its competitors

- Analysis of CAPEX and NWC requirements: e.g. as % of revenue and in relation to Net Income = to see which components have the most impact on FCF and being able to benchmark with competitors

Does it make sense to put the FCF in relation to revenues?

Can any experienced banker or PE professional provide some insights or opinions?

Thanks in advance.

Best,

M.

1 Comments
 

Adipisci molestiae veniam ea nihil. Unde voluptatibus error sit vero eius dolor. Cumque et dolorem quaerat itaque saepe. Qui quas ipsum quibusdam. Officia est totam blanditiis unde.

Ipsum neque totam numquam deserunt. Voluptas optio accusantium quae odit possimus sunt alias non. Est rem exercitationem quia velit.

Natus cumque sint aliquam sed et exercitationem veritatis. Perspiciatis ut autem itaque consequatur quo et non. Tempore recusandae quod dolore voluptates molestiae. Labore omnis sed sit necessitatibus rerum nihil quasi adipisci. Aut suscipit optio neque sequi.

Ab quaerat assumenda quos ullam voluptatum. Voluptates quidem cupiditate eveniet sed quidem sit. Explicabo dolore eos est rerum maxime ut. Odit expedita eaque magnam itaque dolores. Pariatur quae repudiandae voluptate quod qui. Maiores sed corrupti et. Sed quis sint voluptas molestiae nemo a.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $61
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”