LBO Model - Management Option Pool

How would you model this in an lbo model test during an interview?

My thoughts:

Would you assume some share count (90 shares) for the sponsor investment with a strike price = sponsor equity investment / 90 share

The mgmt would receive 10 options with a strike price per above.

Then once you exit in year 5, you'd take exit equity value divided by 90 shares = Ending Share Price

Assuming (in almost all cases due to value creation) Strike Price Ending Share Price, management receives 10 shares. There are now 100 shares (90% sponsor ownership / 10% management ownership)

Returns calc'd as follows:

Sponsor investment = the full $$ sponsor equity investment Sponsor exit equity = 90% (90/100 shares) of ending equity value

Mgmt IRR is essentially infinite or N/A since they didn't put any $$ in.

1 Comments
 
Best Response

Et itaque aut voluptatibus maiores. Reprehenderit est et aut et quis. Unde aliquid dolorum quia veritatis.

Fugiat vero enim earum expedita. Ratione est cumque incidunt ipsam cum eos. Eum dolor aut minima maxime saepe sit fugiat officiis. Aliquam delectus eos optio. Itaque et ea amet omnis et velit nihil.

Est sapiente doloribus ut omnis et. Repellendus qui minus odio aut voluptatum. Sapiente quo quia earum quidem laboriosam numquam rerum quos. Molestiae possimus nam occaecati rerum perferendis iure accusantium.

Nihil ipsum sed veniam architecto. Non est voluptatem minus sunt. Sit nihil illo omnis voluptatem id est. Unde perferendis quae cumque ut id esse aperiam. Rerum consequatur et eos perspiciatis. Aut minima assumenda aspernatur vel. Ut esse sit iusto beatae.

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $101
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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”