hard · Private Equity & LBOs

Two sponsors model the same target with identical entry/exit multiples, leverage, and Year-5 EBITDA. Sponsor A assumes a 3.0% perpetual revenue CAGR with margins held flat; Sponsor B assumes 1.0% revenue CAGR but 250 bps of margin expansion, arriving at the SAME Year-5 EBITDA dollar figure. Both also assume working capital is a constant percentage of revenue.

Holding everything else equal, why might Sponsor B's plan produce a HIGHER equity IRR despite identical exit EBITDA and exit equity value?

  1. Because lower revenue growth means smaller incremental net working capital investment each year, freeing more cash for debt paydown and reducing exit net debt
  2. Because margin expansion is taxed at a lower rate than revenue growth, lowering the cash tax bill over the hold
  3. Because higher margins mechanically command a higher exit EBITDA multiple, lifting exit equity value above Sponsor A's
  4. Because the lower revenue path reduces depreciation, increasing reported net income and therefore the dividend capacity over the hold

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