Articles

Perspectives on M&A 2015

In today’s deal climate, we are likely to see more divestitures as buyers and sellers look for more creative ways to be strategic in their growth, according to a recent Deal Value report from Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML). Companies are optimizing for growth and streamlining their portfolios with divestitures of noncore assets and …

The Darling of Investment Opportunities—Specialty Chemicals Intermediates

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Specialty Chemicals represent a $730 billion industry. Within this landscape, there exists a common source of raw materials known as chemical intermediates. Intermediates are the key “building-block” substances synthesized to deliver desired functional performance to formulated products such as plastics, cosmetics, home care products, agricultural chemicals, coatings, adhesives, inks, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Is the M&A Bubble About to Pop?

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The answer may surprise you, but first a bit of background. There have been signs of financial bubbles throughout global markets: US price/earnings multiples are relatively high, the Chinese equity market is on a tear notwithstanding signs of an economic slowdown, M&A valuations remain near record levels and so on. But, that’s not the whole …

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Playing the Trends in Middle Market Telecom

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More than 20 years after the rise of the Internet and the advent of the modern telecommunications industry, telecommunications continues to be an extremely dynamic industry. With so many of the industry headlines centering around behemoth service providers such as AT&T and Verizon or tech giants like Ericsson or Google, it might appear the massive amount of industry consolidation has left little room for middle market telecommunication companies or their investors.
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Private Equity Backed Collision Repair Transactions in 2014

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The volume of transactions concluded by the Big Four consolidators in 2014 far exceeded any expectations we might have had even as late as NACE in July. Only the consolidators themselves knew the extent of their acquisition possibilities when the year started. When the dust settled, the total number of acquired and new shops for the Big 4 exceeded 374 - on a beginning base of 614 shops. Fifty percent growth in a single year!

M&A: A Leading Growth Strategy in 2015

In a 2015 M&A Outlook Survey, KPMG and Mergers & Acquisitions magazine surveyed over 735 M&A professionals from U.S. corporations, investment banks, and private equity (PE) firms. The Survey reports that, “Despite global concerns, U.S. deal makers are encouraged by low interest rates, record stock prices, improving employment numbers, and an abundance of cash.”

Better …

America’s New Healthcare Economy: Three Trends To Watch

In today’s hyper-competitive environment, companies must combine complementary expertise to fill individual gaps in products and services, says PwC Chairman Bob Moritz. In his State of the Union address, President Obama was brief but to the point on healthcare. Declaring that about “10 million uninsured Americans finally gained the security of health coverage” because of the Affordable Care Act, he made clear he would veto any legislative attempt to roll it back.

Successful Middle Market Transitions

Characteristics of SUCCESSFUL Middle Market Transitions

  • The sale of or investment into the company when relative prices for private companies are high.
  • A transaction or investment structure that results in low taxes overall; and the least taxes paid by the business owner.
  • Bullet-proof due diligence: the price on the term sheet is the price at
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