|
Retail & Consumer
M&A activity in the retail and consumer sectors have focused on improving efficiency by reducing costs, improving inventory management and opening new sales channels. This has meant that many corporate strategic buyers have been interested in capturing new customers and growth opportunities and have paid handsomely for those opportunities. Similarly, private equity groups have been interested in companies with strong financial performance, but that have not been able to capture the aforementioned efficiencies.
With a multitude of valuation techniques in this sector, sellers can expect to get the most value by thoroughly researching and marketing their strongest applicable attributes to the appropriate buyers. We have seen multiples for similar companies vary drastically, and these differences are attributable to the manner in which businesses have been marketed and the buyers to whom they have been marketed. There is an abundance of opportunity in this sector, provided the right acquisition targets can be found.
Recent M&A Trends
The lower middle-market (deals under $100 million) has weathered the credit freeze and "Great Recession" better than the upper middle market has. The deal landscape for the middle market has changed as Wall Street has struggled, but so far, deals are getting done.
The biggest change has been in the deals has been valuations, reliance on debt and reliance on the seller to finance part of the deal. We have seen an increased use of earn-outs, which are typically used in periods where interest rates are high or credit is tight. Thus, PE groups have not stopped investing, and in fact are aggressively trying to deploy their capital into middle-market companies.
As profits are returning, many strategic buyers are more willing to use their cash reserves to purchase various technologies or intangibles that are of synergistic value to them.
Depending on your situation, now could be a good time to seek an exit or even plan for an exit several years down the road. For those that want top dollar for their company and know it will achieve strong, consistent growth for many years, now is definitely not the right time to sell. While valuations may be down, there are many creative ways of structuring deals that may not affect your end proceeds much.
Therefore, if you are a business owner looking to sell, do not avoid doing so due to market conditions. While current market conditions might require a more nuanced approach, the directors at Orion Capital Group have the experience to help you weather these current changes.
If you would like to learn more about Orion Capital Group, please contact us by your prefered means. Any mode of communication is held strictly confidential.
|