Merger and Acquisition Trends for 2017

By Generational Equity

01/27/2017

We have returned with more M&A projections and predictions for 2017, and like all the others we have seen so far, the majority expect the seller’s market to continue for at least the next 12-18 months. This is the analysis of 2017 trends by Mergers and Acquisitions magazine:

Some of the obstacles to closing deals that persisted in the beginning of the year (in 2016), such as financing challenges, have eroded. Fueling confidence, the U.S. gross domestic product grew 2.9 percent in the third quarter, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Expectations that the momentum will continue, especially since the presidential elections are completed. On Mergers & Acquisitions’ M&A Conditions Index (MACI), leads for new transactions and completed deals delivered their highest scores of the year late last year, heralding a strong fourth quarter. And survey respondents say that, barring a major catastrophe, 2017 will be a strong one for M&A.

As we have discussed in past articles, only you can take action to partake in this current seller’s market. Just because M&A activity is expected to remain strong in 2017, this won’t benefit you if you are not already taking steps to take advantage of this cycle. Many of you are not personally ready for either a partial or full exit. We fully understand that. However, what may surprise you is that it may take several years to prep your company to be ready for your transition. Even if you are not going to take advantage of this seller’s market and plan on waiting the 5-7 years until the next, your preparation to do so should start today.

Business owners are often surprised to hear this when they attend our exit planning conferences that we hold throughout North America. Many don’t realize that you can grow a business and create a successful company, but in a manner that does not positively impact the key issue that buyers nearly all aim to minimize: RISK.

For example, growing your largest client from $1 million of revenue to $5 million is a wonderful idea. However, if in doing so, their share of your revenue goes from 10% to 50%, you will have grown both your top line AND the level of risk associated with your company to any buyer.

Likewise, if you grow as outlined in this example, and your net profit margin declines from 10% to 5%, you will be raising red flags for many buyers who might look at your opportunity. Some sellers might say, “But the client who is now half of my revenue stream is a Fortune 500 company, they always pay early and have promised to keep purchasing product from us for years and years, based largely on my personal relationship with the buyer there.” Again red risk flags will go up!

The reality is you not only need to expand your business, but you also need to do it strategically, thoughtfully, and using methods that reduce the risk associated with your business to buyers.

This is just one example; there are literally dozens of key metrics that we analyze when creating our Roadmap for Enhancing Value for each of our clients. This document and analysis are key parts of the services we offer to business owners who sign up with us. And trust me, the sooner you get started on implementing the strategies and concepts we develop through our full evaluation on your business, the better off you will be. Our “hold and grow” program is designed to help business owners take a company worth X and over time (and with some effort) make it worth 2X or more.

To learn more, attend one of our informative, educational M&A conferences. While there you will have an opportunity to meet one on one with our professionals and discuss your situation in detail, and using the information you gather, begin to create your own exit plan.

To learn more, contact us via our website or call us at 972-232-1121.

Bu Carl Doerksen, Director of Corporate Development at Generational Equity.

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