LBO Model - Which method works best?

Hey guys! So I've been preparing for my M&A interviews lately and I have a doubt regarding the LBO Model. Basicly, I have been seeing 2 different models:

1) Entry & Exit multiples are assumed and a target IRR is set but you know nothing yet about purchase price & equity use; you work out your financial statements, determine the debt schedule; get the final EV at exit period with your exit multiple; then take off debt remaining and divide by (1+IRR)^period to get the NPV of equity value, divide this by fully diluted shares outstanding and then determine if you invest or not based on the premium you're paying.

2) You do have purchase price & some form of equity use but know nothing about the IRR first; you work out your financial statement and your debt schedule; you get your exit value just as in method 1) but this time you take off the reamining debt and determine the IRR & the MoM by inputting your equity use and your exit value.

My question is the following: are both methods correct? And if they are, which one is superior?

Thanks :)

1 Comments
 

Veniam omnis eum accusantium eligendi amet sed aut nihil. Aut voluptas enim eligendi. Officia aut magnam facilis qui tempora necessitatibus.

Id rerum debitis distinctio est vitae velit. Reiciendis ut eius illo officia provident consectetur non adipisci. Ipsa non quidem voluptatem amet. Officia nemo nulla qui sint facilis culpa et. Non voluptates vero numquam iure molestias iure.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”