easy · Private Equity value-creation

A private equity sponsor is choosing between a 'Trade Sale' and an 'IPO' as an exit route. The target company has significant revenue synergies with a major industry competitor.

Why might the 'Trade Sale' yield a higher valuation?

  1. Strategic buyers can pay a synergy premium that financial markets do not value in an IPO.
  2. Trade sale processes carry no advisory or legal fees, unlike IPO underwriting spreads.
  3. Public markets rely solely on DCF, whereas trade buyers price deals only on EBITDA multiples.
  4. An IPO always embeds a mandatory control premium that permanently depresses the initial share price offered.

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