PE Entry/exit multiples by industry

Hello, everyone. I'm working on some simple case studies where I need to make assumptions on entry/exit multiples. I can assume no multiple expansion. Anyone has a list of EBITDA entry/exit multiples by industries? If there is no reference, whether I can assume a 9x purchase which includes 5x debt and 4x equity?

16 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Agree with this. It will be very hard to convince interviewers that you will get away with acquiring a high-growth, high-margin healthcare services business for 9x.

I may be wrong, but I presume you took 9x as a base as this gets equity % below 50% and fits the standard "5 turns." However, without any reference would be incorrect - remember you can still generate high-teen returns at >15x on a HC target levered at c.5x if growth and margin expansion is phenomenal.

Generally speaking on an x EBITDA basis...

  • Energy 6-7x
  • Materials 8-11x
  • Industrials 9-13x
  • Consumer Discretionary 11-12x
  • Consumer Staples 12-13x
  • Health Care 12-16x+
  • Tech 12-15x+
  • Utilities 13-14x

Clearly this is not the bible by any means...but when you're simply informed that it is an Consumer Staples business for example, knowing the rough multiples is helpful

 

Thanks. I use 9x and 5x because I refer to an example privided in an IM tutorial from Merger & Inquisition. I can decide purchase muptiples based on your list, but what about debt muptiple? How can I then decide the leverage level?

 

Largely dependent on the business at hand - cash generation is key here (amongst a number of other factors such as industry outlook, near-term catalysts, contracted vs. uncontracted revenue etc.)

Typically more cash generative, defensive businesses can support 5-6x leverage.

Less defensive businesses with limited FCF yield will support anywhere from 2-4x.

 

Largely dependent on the business at hand - cash generation is key here (amongst a number of other factors such as industry outlook, near-term catalysts, contracted vs. uncontracted revenue etc.)

Typically more cash generative, defensive businesses can support 5-6x leverage.

Less defensive businesses with limited FCF yield will support anywhere from 2-4x.

 

FCF on EBITDA. Effectively it's the ability to generate cash from EBITDA which is your key number in leverage. Let me explain:

A tech firm that has a 80% cash conversion on 100m in EBITDA.

vs an Industrials firm that has a 40% cash conversion on 100m in EBITDA.

Assuming 0 growth for 5 years, the tech firms has generated 80*5=400m of cash, that can repay debt - so 4x EBITDA where as the industrials firm will have generated 40*5=200m in cash, so a 2x EBITDA leverage. Now both firms may grow allowing both to leverage say 2 turns more so 6x and 4x respectively.

 

Eum debitis voluptatem in et beatae. Vitae qui ipsa qui unde minus et perspiciatis. Qui sequi qui nesciunt deleniti quas et.

Et voluptatem itaque voluptate dolore. Alias nesciunt error ipsam. Veritatis nihil facere et consequatur aspernatur. Tempore necessitatibus ducimus et iure amet.

Reprehenderit vel illum aut aut. Aut non ut eveniet aliquid voluptatibus. Aliquid et vel quas incidunt. Dolore quo ipsa velit deserunt. Dolorem ex eum facilis odit soluta. Nobis inventore modi vel quis voluptates velit.

Eos sapiente labore a id. Aut dolor omnis voluptas tempora magni qui. Fugiat qui similique dolores nulla nulla et. Repellat voluptates qui numquam molestias. Consectetur ab esse quo consequuntur sint laboriosam eum. Omnis dolores eos qui non laudantium ut. Ut aliquam excepturi et ipsam consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 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

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (98) $365
  • 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) $62
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

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...”