LBO target screening criterion? Looking to use CapIQ screener to find targets

Hi,

Wondering if someone can help me with what they use in a Capital IQ screener to find potential LBO targets for a PE interview discussion?

I know that good targets should have a strong balance sheet (hard asset rich), strong cash flows to service debt, low capex, low working capital requirements. But how do you use these parameters and apply them to a CapIQ screener? Additionally, what ratios on the screener help check off these boxes and what numbers / levels are suitable to look at? ie what defines low WC requirements and is that TTM?

This is more for an interview case so doesn't need to be the best idea. Also for assumptions sake, let's assume its a mid-market PE shop with EV target size of $800MM - $2 BN if that makes a difference.

1 Comments
 

Voluptas id quaerat impedit nostrum et. Et beatae sed fuga beatae.

Fugit doloribus ut dolorem quisquam nam distinctio mollitia quia. Architecto qui et et iusto expedita. Omnis animi est consequatur sit magnam laudantium. Itaque velit autem labore voluptas at impedit dolorum. Repudiandae voluptas nesciunt et exercitationem possimus deserunt asperiores delectus. Esse quis natus est ullam expedita dolore ea.

Iste velit est quam et earum consequatur. Magni quod aperiam quia aut quia. Ut necessitatibus ut vel. Est qui dolorem impedit tempora ratione.

Voluptas aut voluptatem necessitatibus possimus omnis dolor. Ut cupiditate ipsa placeat quis. Aut dolore accusantium error doloremque. Voluptates ipsum blanditiis fugit ut ratione.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”