Post LBO capital structure question

Hi guys, would appreciate any help with the below question which should be very simple but I still struggle with some logic behind it.

My understanding is that in an LBO the EV of the target should not change post acquisition, but the split between equity and debt is what will obviously change (with debt being a much larger % of EV post LBO), but looking at below S&U of a simple transaction, the EV before LBO ($800) and EV post LBO is different ($810). Obviously I understand that the difference of $10 is coming from extra financing needed to be raised to cover $10 transaction fees but still I just can't logically get if it even makes sense that before the transaction the EV was $800 at 8x multiple, but after LBO the EV became $810 with a slightly higher multiple now. It just seems wrong to me or my logic is incorrect somewhere. I have been thinking about it for 2 days straight now. Could someone please explain? Thank you!


EBITDA $100

8x multiple paid  - $800 EV

$300 debt, $100 cash, implying 800-300+100= $600 equity purchase price


Assume no mgmt/investor rollover, 100% acquisition

$10 transaction fees and $15 cash to the balance sheet

Financing: 5x EBITDA debt


Uses:

$600 purchase equity

$200 refinance net debt

$15 cash on the balance sheet

$10 transaction fees


Total = $825


Sources:

$500 debt

$325 sponsor equity


Total = $825


EV post LBO = 325 (new equity) + 500 (new debt) - 15 (new cash on the BS) = $810

 

Anyone please? Is it really a difficult question?

 
Most Helpful

I would not define it as EV pre- and post-LBO but rather see it as incl. and excl. fees given that this is relevant for different stakeholders.

The EV pre-fees is the more relevant metric for the seller given that this is basically the price he gets paid for the company and ultimately determines the value of his equity by deducting all EV-EQ adjustments.

The EV post-fees is basically what the PE buyer has to pay given that he needs to fund the transaction fees.

Note that the PE buyers usually look at the EV before buyside transaction costs as a reference point for their assumption for the exit multiple.

 

Thank you! I agree to you but still after the transaction the target will essentially have higher EV due to larger financing requited to cover fees and I don't see how you can look at it excluding fees

 

Dolores sapiente inventore nesciunt alias ut dolorem corrupti. Quibusdam ut delectus asperiores molestias qui.

Nesciunt reprehenderit doloribus quibusdam consequatur ipsum. Molestiae saepe ea et tempore modi. Ipsam rem ea sed vero. Aperiam sequi est corporis tempora. Consectetur eos quas laborum ea libero nisi sunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (91) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (206) $266
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”