LBO & negative shareholders equtiy

If a company goes private via a LBO, how does the new debt impact the balance sheet and would it result in negative share holder equity to equalize both sides of the balance sheet?

Off the top of my head, I'd think that the additional debt will mean higher interest expense on debt, less net income on the the income statement, lower retained earnings balance, and finally less ending cash balance in cash flow statement.

But what about the balance sheet?

With more debt on the books of an LBO portfolio company, won't the balance sheet have to have negative shareholder equity so the balance sheet balances out on the asset side and the (liabilitites + shareholder's) equity side?

Is it legal or does it violate accounting rules to have negative shareholder equity on the balance sheet post transaction? how is addtional debt accounted for in the balance sheet?

This was a recent superday question.

 

Think of it this way: a private equity firm is buying all the equity in a company and financing it with new debt and equity. Oftentimes cash and existing debt are swept away and refinanced with this new capital structure. Existing SE will be replaced by the sponsor's equity, existing debt will be replaced by new debt, and the balance on the asset side comes from goodwill. Hope that helps.

The plug here is goodwill.

 
Best Response
thadonmega:
If a company goes private via a LBO, how does the new debt impact the balance sheet and would it result in negative share holder equity to equalize both sides of the balance sheet?

Off the top of my head, I'd think that the additional debt will mean higher interest expense on debt, less net income on the the income statement, lower retained earnings balance, and finally less ending cash balance in cash flow statement.

But what about the balance sheet?

With more debt on the books of an LBO portfolio company, won't the balance sheet have to have negative shareholder equity so the balance sheet balances out on the asset side and the (liabilitites + shareholder's) equity side?

Is it legal or does it violate accounting rules to have negative shareholder equity on the balance sheet post transaction? how is addtional debt accounted for in the balance sheet?

This was a recent superday question.

GameTheory is right on.

Right after the transaction there wouldn't be negative SE b/c the sponsor's equity investment would be the new SE. Negative SE might occur should NI run in the red for too long...

 

Autem est porro ut et. Corporis vel consequuntur nemo reprehenderit repudiandae rem molestiae. Dolor occaecati alias odio sunt dolore provident. Asperiores ratione dicta totam eaque a est.

Facere quam rerum quia. Sit dolorem explicabo sunt et quis quod similique adipisci. Maxime earum aut voluptatem accusamus. Qui rerum eligendi sed ut dolor ut quisquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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

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...”