Preliminary Quick LBO`(Quick and Dirty, Pre-IC)

If you're whipping up a quick LBO to grab returns on a potential TargetCo - What does a preliminary LBO Model (Quick and Dirty, Pre-IC) look like?

- How simple a model is this?

- What would something like this contain? ie how detailed would sources and uses be?

Bonus Q:

- What is most likely to change to model after data room access?

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Operating model: take CIM forecast and haircut it a lot, typically looking to historical growth as a rough guide. Maybe do a few expert calls / desktop DD to get smarter around industry growth to help benchmark if you like the asset. Depending on how easy it is, build in some light revenue and COGS build (price X quantity, monthly bookings -> billings ramp, recurring revenue buildup, etc) or other simple implied metrics) that can be played around with. You’ll have a base, implied seller case, maybe downside. 
 

S&U - usually assume something very simple and you look at precedents. If you like the deal you grab a quick call with a few bankers to get their view and just input whatever their first read is on leverage and pricing. 

Think of it like your typical 3-hr PE interview case study, except make sure it’s damn correct. And also the random assumptions you get in the prompt (“assume the market grows at X%,” trading comps, etc) you get your own justification for. At least that’s how I’ve seen it done. 

 

Unde ullam quia assumenda asperiores rerum labore nostrum. Et nihil impedit porro hic maiores. Deserunt voluptatem officiis ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.2%
  • 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 99.2%
  • 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 (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

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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”