
How do you financially evaluate a merger or acquisition?
- Debt and Liabilities: The acquirer company should examine the target company's debt load. ...
- Financial Statements: The acquirer company should make sure the target company has clean and organized financial statements. ...
- Value of the Company: The acquirer company should also review the Present Value (PV) and future cash flows of the target company. ...
- Financial Plans: ...
What is merger and acquisition?
How does goodwill affect mergers?
What happens when company A acquires company B?
What is synergy in M&A?
Why is finding a consideration agreeable to both parties important?
Can two companies merge?
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How do you analyze mergers and acquisitions?
There are three major steps to conducting a merger or acquisition analysis: Step 1: Obtaining a purchase price. Step 2: Estimating sources and uses of funds. Step 3: Creating a pro-forma analysis.
How do you evaluate a merger?
How do you financially evaluate a merger or acquisition?Debt and Liabilities: The acquirer company should examine the target company's debt load. ... Financial Statements: The acquirer company should make sure the target company has clean and organized financial statements. ... Value of the Company: ... Financial Plans:
How do you know if a merger is successful?
If clients are pleased with the quality of the merged firm's services, then the merger can be considered successful. One way to measure client satisfaction is through formal client satisfaction surveys and interviews, which can hopefully be compared to results in the predecessor firms.
What are the four phases of a merger?
The merger & acquisition process is very complex, yet can be broken down into four phases: due diligence, agreement, integration, and value attainment.
How do you value a company after a merger?
(1) the firms involved in the merger are valued independently, by discounting expected cash flows to each firm at the weighted average cost of capital for that firm. (2) the value of the combined firm, with no synergy, is obtained by adding the values obtained for each firm in the first step.
What makes a good merger?
The most successful merger or acquisition has full buy-in from all parties. This includes not only the owners and stockholders, but the employees and customers.
What is the most important element in merger and acquisition?
As in most aspects of business, communication is a vital key to ensuring your merger or acquisition goes smoothly and is the right move for both companies. You need to have completely open and direct lines of communication with the key players from the company with which you want to merge.
How do financial statements evaluate mergers?
To analyze the merged cash flow statement, start by adding both company's statements together. Once this is complete, review any changes you made to the tax rate or interest rate when analyzing the income statement. If these rates changed, be sure to adjust the Tax and Interest Expense to reflect the post-merger rates.
What happens when 2 companies merge?
Mergers combine two separate businesses into a single new legal entity. True mergers are uncommon because it's rare for two equal companies to mutually benefit from combining resources and staff, including their CEOs.
How do you structure a merger?
There are generally three options for structuring a merger or acquisition deal:Stock purchase. The buyer purchases the target company's stock from its stockholders. ... Asset sale/purchase. The buyer purchases only assets and assumes liabilities that are specifically indicated in the purchase agreement. ... Merger.
What is due diligence in mergers and acquisitions?
Due diligence is the process of gathering and verifying relevant information about a company or person to enable the ordering party to make an informed decision. The ordering party can be the buyer or the seller – due diligence has value for both parties in any M&A scenario.
What is the M&A lifecycle?
The merger and acquisition process includes all the steps involved in merging or acquiring a company, from start to finish. This includes all planning, research, due diligence, closing, and implementation activities, which we will discuss in depth in this article.
What factors determine the valuation of acquisition and mergers?
Pre-transaction success factorsTrust between the parties. ... Due diligence en good valuation. ... Experience from previous mergers and acquisitions. ... Communication before the execution of the merger or acquisition. ... Quality of the plan. ... Execution of the plan. ... Swiftness of integration. ... Communication during the implementation.More items...•
What makes a merger accretive or dilutive?
Dilutive Mergers: An Overview. A merger and acquisition (M&A) deal is said to be accretive if the acquiring firm's earnings per share (EPS) increase after the deal goes through. If the resulting deal causes the acquiring firm's EPS to decline, the deal is considered to be dilutive.
What are the three valuation approaches?
0:141:17What Are The Three Business Valuation Methods - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe three business valuation methods are asset-based. Approach the income-based approach and theMoreThe three business valuation methods are asset-based. Approach the income-based approach and the market-based. Approach the asset-based.
What are valuation methods?
What are the main valuation methods? When valuing a company as a going concern, there are three main valuation methods used by industry practitioners: (1) DCF analysis, (2) comparable company analysis, and (3) precedent transactions.
Merger Model Step-By-Step Walkthrough [Video Tutorial]
Merger Model Walkthrough: Combining the Income Statements (19:25) You’ll learn how to combine the Income Statements and calculate EPS accretion/dilution in this lesson, including support for “switches” on the revenue and expense synergies and more flexible formulas for the debt repayment and new depreciation and amortization lines.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Excel Models - Eloquens
What is 'Mergers and Acquisitions' (M&A) Consolidating companies or assets is generally referred to as ‘Mergers and Acquisitions.’ It is a kind of an umbrella term for a range of transactions, such as Mergers or Acquisitions (obviously), asset purchases, tender offers, and management acquisitions.
How to Build a Merger Model - Financial Edge
Key Learning Points. Merger models are used to explore the potential financial implications of putting two companies (or more) together; The key steps involved in building a merger model are: M&A model inputs, followed by a range of M&A model assumptions, model analysis and model outputs
What is merger and acquisition?
A merger is the “combination” of two companies, under a mutual agreement, to form a consolidated entity. An acquisition occurs when one company proposes to offer cash or its shares to acquire another company. In both cases, both companies merge to form one company, subject to the approval of the shareholders of both companies.
How does goodwill affect mergers?
Goodwill arises when the buyer acquires the target for a price that is greater than the Fair Market Value of Net Tangible Assets on the seller’s balance sheet. If the book value of the acquired entity is lower than what the acquirer paid, then an impairment charge will arise. As a result, the acquired net assets will be written down in value equal to the consideration paid.
What happens when company A acquires company B?
When company A acquires company B, the balance sheet items of company B will be added to the balance sheet of company A . Combining the two companies’ financials will require several accounting adjustments, such as determining the value of goodwill, value of stock shares, and options, and cash equivalents. This section is also where various types of synergies#N#Types of Synergies M&A synergies can occur from cost savings or revenue upside. There are various types of synergies in mergers and acquisition. This guide provides examples. A synergy is any effect that increases the value of a merged firm above the combined value of the two separate firms. Synergies may arise in M&A transactions#N#come into play.
What is synergy in M&A?
A synergy is any effect that increases the value of a merged firm above the combined value of the two separate firms. Synergies may arise in M&A transactions. from the combination of the two businesses (cost savings) Timing for those synergies to be realized. Integration costs.
Why is finding a consideration agreeable to both parties important?
Finding a consideration agreeable to both parties is a crucial part of striking a deal. In contrast, the target company may want to receive equity because it might be perceived as more valuable than cash. Finding a consideration agreeable to both parties is a crucial part of striking a deal.
Can two companies merge?
In both cases, both companies merge to form one company, subject to the approval of the shareholders of both companies. Below are the steps of how to build a merger model.
What is merger in business?
A merger is the voluntary fusion of two companies on broadly equal terms into one new legal entity. The five major types of mergers are conglomerate, congeneric, market extension, horizontal, and vertical. 1:42.
What Is a Merger?
A merger is an agreement that unites two existing companies into one new company. There are several types of mergers and also several reasons why companies complete mergers. Mergers and acquisitions are commonly done to expand a company’s reach, expand into new segments, or gain market share. All of these are done to increase shareholder value. Often, during a merger, companies have a no-shop clause to prevent purchases or mergers by additional companies.
What is a congeneric merger?
A congeneric merger is also known as a Product Extension merger. In this type, it is a combining of two or more companies that operate in the same market or sector with overlapping factors, such as technology, marketing, production processes, and research and development (R&D).
What is vertical merger?
When two companies that produce parts or services for a product merger, the union is referred to as a vertical merger. A vertical merger occurs when two companies operating at different levels within the same industry's supply chain combine their operations. Such mergers are done to increase synergies achieved through the cost reduction, which results from merging with one or more supply companies. One of the most well-known examples of a vertical merger took place in 2000 when internet provider America Online (AOL) combined with media conglomerate Time Warner.
What is horizontal merger?
Horizontal. A horizontal merger occurs between companies operating in the same industry. The merger is typically part of consolidation between two or more competitors offering the same products or services.
What are the different types of mergers?
The five major types of mergers are conglomerate, congeneric, market extension, horizontal, and vertical.
Why do companies merge?
Mergers are most commonly done to gain market share, reduce costs of operations, expand to new territories, unite common products, grow revenues, and increase profits—all of which should benefit the firms' shareholders . After a merger, shares of the new company are distributed to existing shareholders of both original businesses.
How does Merger work?
Typically, entities that decide to enter into a merger agreement are approximate of equal size in terms of the scale of operations. As such, it is sometimes known as “merger of equals”.
Why is merger important?
So, it can be seen that a merger is a very important business strategy as it is imperative to grow a business, not just organically but also inorganically, to sustain in the constantly evolving market.
What is the purpose of a merger of equals?
Most of these are done to expand to new territories, gain more market share, cutback operating costs, expand top line or boots profitability. Post-merger, the shares of the new merged entity is issued to the existing shareholders of both the merging entities.
What is the difference between merger and acquisition?
Mergers and Acquisitions are somewhat different and some of the major differences are as follows: This is the process of combining two or more entities to form a new entity, while acquisition is the process in which the financially stronger entity takes over the shares of the financially weaker entity. This results in an amicable situation ...
What is the difference between a cash merger and a stock merger?
In a cash merger, the stocks of the target entity are purchased by the acquiring entity in cash, while in a stock merger, the stocks of the target entity are purchased in exchange for the stocks of the acquiring entity.
What is merger agreement?
The term “merger” refers to the agreement as per which two entities combine to form a new entity. In other words, it is the amalgamation of two separate entities into a single legal entity. In the corporate world, there are several types of mergers that are completed with the different types of intentions, such as to venture into new segments, ...
What is horizontal merger?
Horizontal: The merging companies are operating in the same industry selling the same product. Such are intended to draw benefits of synergy and market consolidation. Usually, it results in larger market share, reduction in operating costs and economies of scale.
Why do mergers and acquisitions occur?
Common reasons for mergers and acquisitions include: Decrease the competition. Increase operational capacity and efficiency. Grow market share.
What are the three categories of mergers and acquisitions?
The mergers and acquisitions (M&A) life cycle is broken down into three categories: Strategy, Execution, and Integration.
What is an acquisition?
An acquisition occurs when one company takes over another company. The purchasing company buys a controlling interest or the entire business operation, including assets. The purchased company is absorbed by the purchasing company and a new company is not formed. There are many reasons why mergers and acquisitions occur, ...
Why do you need to bring more than one buyer to the table?
Bring more than one buyer to the table —This gives you a better opportunity to determine which company is a better fit. While the sale is about money, it’s not all about the money. You need to sell to the company that most closely aligns with your company’s values, culture, work ethic, and so on.
How to increase efficiency and to accommodate increased business volume?
Combine workforces—Identify and eliminate redundancies and restructure workflows to increase efficiency and to accommodate increased business volume.
How does consolidation improve purchasing power?
Reduce costs—Consolidation can improve your purchasing power and decrease costs as you negotiate better terms with vendors based on the need for more materials because of increased output.
When the due diligence process is completed and the buyer wants to go forward with the purchase, what happens?
When the due diligence process is completed and the buyer wants to go forward with the purchase, get final agreement from the board.
What is the purpose of merger models?
The primary goal of the investment banker is to figure out whether the buyer’s earnings per share (EPS) will increase or decrease as a result of the merger . An increase in expected EPS from a merger is called Accretion (and such an acquisition is called an Accretive Acquisition ), and a decrease in expected EPS from a merger is called Dilution (and such an acquisition is called a Dilutive Acquisition ).
What is the difference between merger and acquisition?
A merger is the combining (or “pooling”) of two businesses, while an acquisition is the purchase of the ownership of one business by another. Pooling of Interest Accounting, which is how mergers used to be accounted for, is no longer allowed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the US, and was also disallowed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) for international companies. As a result, M&A transactions must now be accounted for using the Acquisition Method of Accounting (a slightly revised version of the Purchase Method of Accounting). This all can be very confusing, because the word “Mergers” is frequently used to describe either type of combination of two business, but all combinations must now be treated as the purchase of one company by another (in other words, as “Acquisitions”).
What is an increase in expected EPS from a merger?
An increase in expected EPS from a merger is called Accretion (and such an acquisition is called an Accretive Acquisition ), and a decrease in expected EPS from a merger is called Dilution (and such an acquisition is called a Dilutive Acquisition ). A Merger Consequences Analysis consists of the following key valuation outputs:
Why do companies do M&A?
Reasons for Pursuing M&A. M&A is a corporate strategy that may increase value for the acquirer by creating an important value driver known as Synergies (ways to increase profit/earnings through an acquisition), among other reasons. Synergies can arise from an M&A transaction for a variety of reasons:
Why do you use equity in a stock purchase?
Conversely, if the Buyer feels that its current stock price is trading at high levels, the Buyer will likely want to use Equity for the consideration of the Purchase Price, because issuing new stock for the transaction is relatively inexpensive (i.e., the stock has a high value in dollar terms). The Target, meanwhile, might be hesitant to receive the Equity as consideration in this case; depending on the terms of the deal, the Seller’s shareholders may end up suffering a loss on the sale relative to Cash consideration in the event that the Buyer’s stock price falls between the time that the deal is announced and the time that the acquisition is completed (usually several months, but in some cases closing can take as long as a year).
Why is the consideration used for the acquisition of the target company dilutive?
If the consideration used for the acquisition of the Target company is the Buyer’s common stock, the transaction will often be dilutive to the buyer’s EPS due to the fact that the new shares issued to buy the Target will increase the number of outstanding shares of the Buyer. If that is the case, a combination of Equity and Cash may be used to for the consideration of a Purchase Price to minimize the effect of dilution on EPS.
How to evaluate M&A?
A critical component to evaluating an M&A transaction is to determine the Purchase Price for the Target company. In particular, how much of a Control Premium should be paid for the Target (relative to the current valuation of the target)? One very important method is to look at recent Comparable (Precedent) Transactions to determine how much of a premium has been paid for ownership of other, similar companies in recent M&A transactions. Other methods used to establish a fair value for a target company in an M&A transaction include:
What should investors know about mergers?
The investor should get to know the nature of the merger, key information concerning the other company involved, the types of benefits that shareholders are receiving, which company is in control of the deal, and any other relevant financial and non-financial considerations.
How does merger work?
A merger happens when a company finds a benefit in combining business operations with another company in a way that will contribute to increased shareholder value. It is similar in many ways to an acquisition, which is why the two actions are so often grouped together as mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
What is M&A in business?
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are situations often cloaked in mystery and confusion. Only part of the information is available to the public, while much of the machinations occur behind closed doors. This process can make it difficult for the shareholders in each of the companies that are undergoing a merger or acquisition to know ...
What is merger of equals?
In theory, a merger of equals is where two companies convert their respective stocks to those of the new, combined company. However, in practice, two companies will generally make an agreement for one company to buy the other company's common stock from the shareholders in exchange for its own common stock.
Why is the closing price different than the announced closing price?
This is due to the fact that a merger is usually not completed under the initially proposed terms.
How are fractional shares dealt with?
In the case of fractional shares, they are dealt with in one of two ways: the fraction is cashed out automatically and you get a check for the market value of your fraction, or the number of shares is rounded down.
Does an acquisition involve management change?
An acquisition is slightly different and often does not involve a change in management. Typically, the share price of the company being bought will increase as goodwill is taken into consideration in the purchase price. Shareholders are able to vote on whether a merger should take place or not.
What is merger and acquisition?
A merger is the “combination” of two companies, under a mutual agreement, to form a consolidated entity. An acquisition occurs when one company proposes to offer cash or its shares to acquire another company. In both cases, both companies merge to form one company, subject to the approval of the shareholders of both companies.
How does goodwill affect mergers?
Goodwill arises when the buyer acquires the target for a price that is greater than the Fair Market Value of Net Tangible Assets on the seller’s balance sheet. If the book value of the acquired entity is lower than what the acquirer paid, then an impairment charge will arise. As a result, the acquired net assets will be written down in value equal to the consideration paid.
What happens when company A acquires company B?
When company A acquires company B, the balance sheet items of company B will be added to the balance sheet of company A . Combining the two companies’ financials will require several accounting adjustments, such as determining the value of goodwill, value of stock shares, and options, and cash equivalents. This section is also where various types of synergies#N#Types of Synergies M&A synergies can occur from cost savings or revenue upside. There are various types of synergies in mergers and acquisition. This guide provides examples. A synergy is any effect that increases the value of a merged firm above the combined value of the two separate firms. Synergies may arise in M&A transactions#N#come into play.
What is synergy in M&A?
A synergy is any effect that increases the value of a merged firm above the combined value of the two separate firms. Synergies may arise in M&A transactions. from the combination of the two businesses (cost savings) Timing for those synergies to be realized. Integration costs.
Why is finding a consideration agreeable to both parties important?
Finding a consideration agreeable to both parties is a crucial part of striking a deal. In contrast, the target company may want to receive equity because it might be perceived as more valuable than cash. Finding a consideration agreeable to both parties is a crucial part of striking a deal.
Can two companies merge?
In both cases, both companies merge to form one company, subject to the approval of the shareholders of both companies. Below are the steps of how to build a merger model.

Making Acquisition Assumptions
Making Projections
- Making projections in a merger model is the same as in a regular DCF model or any other type of financial model. In order to forecast, an analyst will make assumptions about revenue growth, margins, fixed costs, variable costs, capital structure, capital expenditures, and all other accounts on the company’s financial statements. This process is known as building a 3-statement modela…
valuation of Each Business
- Step 3 of how to build a merger model is a DCF analysis of each business. Once the forecast is complete, then it’s time to perform a valuation of each business. The valuation will be a discounted cash flow (DCF) modelthat is also compared and contrasted against comparable company analysis and precedent transactions. There will be many assumptions i...
Business Combination and Pro Forma Adjustments
- When company A acquires company B, the balance sheet items of company B will be added to the balance sheet of company A. Combining the two companies’ financials will require several accounting adjustments, such as determining the value of goodwill, value of stock shares, and options, and cash equivalents. This section is also where various types of synergiescome into pl…
Deal Accretion/ Dilution
- The purpose of accretion/dilution analysis is to determine the effect of the acquisition on the buyer’s Pro Forma Earnings per Share (EPS). A transaction is deemed accretive if the buyer’s EPS increases after acquiring the target company. Conversely, a transaction is viewed as dilutive if the buyer’s EPS declines as a result of the merger. The buyer should estimate the effect of the targe…
Learn More
- Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to Building A Merger Model. To continue learning and advancing your career, these additional free CFI resources will be helpful: 1. M&A Process 2. Merger Factors and Complexity 3. M&A Document Retention 4. DCF Model Guide
What Is A Merger?
How A Merger Works
- A merger is the voluntary fusion of two companies on broadly equal terms into one new legal entity. The firms that agree to merge are roughly equal in terms of size, customers, and scale of operations. For this reason, the term "merger of equals" is sometimes used. Acquisitions, unlike mergers, or generally not voluntary and involve one company act...
Types of Mergers
- There are various types of mergers, depending on the goal of the companies involved. Below are some of the most common types of mergers.
Examples of Mergers
- Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) is an example of how mergers work and unite companies together. The company is the result of multiple mergers, consolidation, and market extensions in the beer market. The newly named company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, is the result of the mergers of three large international beverage companies—Interbrew (Belgium), Ambev (Brazil), and Anheuser-Bus…