Case study: ever do DCF, MA instead of LBO for interview?

Interviewing for small shop and will have a case study (5-7 days to prepare). I understand that an LBO analysis is the norm but the job description details DCF and M&A models and capital structure analysis. Should I be focusing my studies on these and not LBO? Thanks.

6 Comments
 
Best Response

Given that amount of time, I would focus on 4 valuation methods: LBO, DCF, public comps and transaction comps. If you are familiar with the industry and there are industry-specific methods that may fit, feel free to use those too. Merger models won't be all that relevant in PE unless you're looking at something like an add-on acquisition to a portfolio company. Cap structure analysis will already be incorporated into the LBO and DCF, but you may want to have explanations for your assumptions.

 

Thanks for the reply! I meant after the interview I will have 5-7 days to complete the case study. As of now the first interview is not scheduled (recruiter setting it up). I have zero exposure to this stuff and want to spend my time studying for the possibilities. I will definately attack the 4 you mentioned, anything else you think?

 

Blanditiis maiores vitae et magni saepe ea culpa. Sint nihil aut aut deserunt voluptas. Vero molestiae inventore ut qui voluptas facilis non. Voluptates eveniet exercitationem earum.

Nisi ipsum et ratione officia. Odio numquam voluptas eum incidunt occaecati doloremque optio. Occaecati aperiam in est ratione ea sint deleniti. Alias nemo error qui qui. Quasi quae ad eveniet neque expedita aut. Aperiam eius aut totam et. Modi eaque hic voluptates ut.

Et porro ea qui voluptas ab. Ipsam nemo porro necessitatibus voluptatem provident. Eaque quisquam amet dolor consequuntur est consequatur necessitatibus.

Aliquid quasi iusto explicabo nobis dolor earum ab. Id corporis accusamus temporibus aliquid facere omnis. Et corporis aperiam voluptatum modi cupiditate quos.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”