A Strategic Framework:

Balancing Risk and Return in Negotiating the Structural Components of Private Mergers and Acquisitions

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Capital Advisors

Introduction

In the dynamic landscape of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), balancing between risk and return serves as the heartbeat of successful negotiations. This article explores the intricate relationship of three pivotal components in private M&A deals: cash up front, rollover equity, and earnouts, and provides a framework to apportion purchase price between these components in the context of assigning risk. The thesis contends that understanding and strategically attributing value to each of these components, grounded in a net present value (NPV) framework, is the linchpin to triumph in negotiations.  

Components of M&A Negotiations 

1.  Cash Up Front

In the context of private M&A transactions, understanding the risk allocation associated with cash upfront is a pivotal aspect of negotiations. As the acquiring party shoulders the risk of this structural component, advisors should emphasize the strategic use of historical financials under the premise that past is prologue to anchor the valuation of this foundational component. 

Cash up front, as the cornerstone of many private M&A deals, encapsulates the immediate risk assumed by the acquiring party. In committing a substantial portion of the consideration at the onset, the buyer is inherently exposed to uncertainties, potential changes, and unforeseen challenges that might impact the future performance of the acquired entity. 

In navigating the risk-laden landscape of cash upfront, historical financials emerge as invaluable anchors. The premise that past is prologue becomes a guiding principle in attributing value to this component. Meticulous analysis of past financial performance allows negotiators to mitigate the immediate risk associated with cash upfront. By recognizing patterns, identifying trends, and conducting a thorough risk assessment grounded in historical context, the acquiring party can make informed decisions that align with the anticipated value of the transaction. By leveraging the stability and predictability encapsulated in historical financial performance, negotiators gain a strategic vantage point to anchor the immediate risk. 

In concrete terms, cash upfront is encapsulated in the historical adjusted EBITDA and the market multiple identified in the purchase price. In recognizing that the purchase price is always less than the value of the company to the acquirer (which is typically reflected in the acquirer’s NPV analysis, to be discussed later), we anchor the framework of allocating purchase price between the three structural components. 

In summary, the risk allocation inherent in cash up front in private M&A transactions places a significant responsibility on the acquiring party. However, the astute use of historical financials offers a strategic toolkit to navigate this risk. It transforms the uncertainties of the present into a calculated venture, where the acquiring party can confidently anchor the value of the deal on the stable foundations of the entity’s historical performance.  

2.  Rollover Equity

Rollover equity is next in the continuum of structural components. In negotiating private M&A transactions, perhaps nowhere is the challenge more pronounced than in the realm of rollover equity. Unlike the more straightforward risk allocation in initial cash or earnouts—where the buyer and seller bear distinct risks—rollover equity symbolizes mutual risk. In the interplay between risk and return, it emerges as the most elusive component to apportion value. This section delves into the intricacies of linking rollover equity to a target’s base projections and the expected synergies attributable to changes made by the acquirer. By understanding and negotiating rollover equity through the lens of mutual risk, we can more appropriately align value to ensure the risk/return balance is maintained.  

The valuation of rollover equity, under this proposed theory, becomes a dynamic process that harmonizes historical performance and base projections with the anticipated synergies brought forth by the buyer. The aim is to ensure that the value attributed to rollover equity not only recognizes the legacy and stability encapsulated in historical performance but also captures the added value emerging from the collaborative efforts and strategic advantages introduced by the acquiring entity. 

In crafting a theory for the valuation of rollover equity within the interplay of risk and return, the challenge lies in striking the right balance. Here, I propose that rollover equity should be proportioned directly to historical performance, i.e. the proportion of cash upfront. Specifically, in proportioning the historical value referenced above to the base projections with synergies, we can balance the risk between the business as it is today with the business as it will be. Rollover equity as a concept should encompass the potential benefits derived from the synergies created by the acquiring party, and the relative value of future cash flows and synergies should be the basis of determining the proportion of rollover equity.  

Essentially, navigating the intricacies of rollover equity demands a thoughtful approach that goes beyond the conventional valuation models. It requires a nuanced understanding of the shared risks, a delicate balance between the past and the future, and a recognition that the true value lies in the symbiotic relationship forged between historical performance and the synergies envisioned by the buyer. This approach, I believe, lays the foundation for a more equitable and mutually beneficial negotiation outcome. 

3.  Earnouts

In the intricate landscape of private M&A transactions, earnouts emerge as a mechanism that not only represents risk to the seller but ties the value of the deal directly to their future performance. This section explores how earnouts introduce a contingent risk for the seller, emphasizing the crucial role of negotiating hurdles to ensure they are reasonable and achievable, thereby giving substance and true value to this component. 

Earnouts, by their nature, present a unique risk dynamic for the seller. Unlike the upfront cash component, which provides immediate value, the realization of earnouts hinges on the seller’s ability to meet predefined performance metrics post-acquisition. This contingent risk places a significant emphasis on the seller’s ongoing performance and the need for a careful negotiation of the terms that define the earning potential. 

The success of earnouts rests on the definition of achievable hurdles. Negotiating these hurdles is critically important to ensure they are not only reasonable but also attainable by the seller. Imposing unrealistic targets introduces a risk of rendering the earnout component virtually worthless, as they become unattainable under practical business circumstances. By negotiating substantive and realistic milestones, the seller is incentivized to actively contribute to the success of the acquired entity, forging a symbiotic relationship between risk and return. By aligning the interests of both parties through reasonable and achievable hurdles, the seller is motivated to excel, and the buyer gains the benefits of enhanced performance.  

Unlike cash upfront and rollover equity, valuing earnouts and allocating the purchase price to earnouts is the most straightforward. The value of earnouts should be the NPV of new business identified in the negotiations that are not tied to the acquiring party or expected synergies. The NPV of the earnout as a percentage of the NPV of the pro forma company should be the amount allocated to earnouts.  

In conclusion, the negotiation of earnouts in private M&A transactions requires a nuanced approach. By recognizing earnouts as contingent risks for sellers and meticulously negotiating achievable hurdles, negotiators can imbue this component with real substance and value. This approach not only safeguards the interests of both parties but also fosters an environment where risk and return are intricately balanced for mutual success. 

 

Net Present Value Framework

At the heart of attributing values to these components lies the net present value (NPV) framework. This section expounds on the NPV approach’s role in strategically negotiating and determining values for cash upfront, rollover equity, and earnouts. Comparative analyses showcase how NPV enhances the understanding of each component’s contribution to the overall deal, fostering a comprehensive and informed negotiation strategy. 

In the realm of M&A negotiations, the contrast between a strategic, risk-versus-return analysis and the conventional approach of applying multiples to historically adjusted EBITDA becomes apparent. This section explains how a sophisticated framework linking the negotiation of structural components: cash up front, rollover equity, and earnouts, to projection models and NPV analysis, stands in stark contrast and is vastly superior to the simplistic application of multiples. 

Unlike the conventional reliance on historically adjusted EBITDA multiples, this subsection highlights the strategic advantage of utilizing projection models. By incorporating future performance indicators, projection models facilitate a forward-looking assessment, offering a more nuanced understanding of a target’s potential. Inherent in an NPV analysis is risk. As such, combining an NPV approach to the risk/return framework of negotiating structural components enables negotiators to craft deals that align with the dynamic nature of the business landscape. 

In contrast to the rigid application of multiples, the NPV analysis underlines flexibility and precision. The Discounted Cash Flow (“DCF”) methodology, an offshoot of NPV analysis, allows for a detailed valuation, which can be attributed to cash upfront, rollover equity, and earnouts. Because an advisor can layer in various scenarios, combining both historical and forward-looking views, all within the context of risk-weighting, (s)he can ensure that the negotiated values reflect the true economic impact, fostering a more favorable outcome for clients. 

In successfully executing an M&A negotiation, the message is clear: the era of simplistic valuations is evolving. By applying a strategic lens to cash up front, rollover equity, and earnouts, a better outcome is not just a possibility; it becomes the standard. This approach, grounded in a comprehensive understanding of risks and returns, ensures that every negotiated deal is not merely transactional but transformative for our clients. 

Addicus Capital Advisors:

Elevating M&A Excellence

In the dynamic world of the middle and lower middle markets, Addicus Capital Advisors strives to bring a unique blend of Wall Street expertise and Middle Market sensibilities. Unlike some of our peers who take a simplistic approach to valuation and process, we take pride in infusing a level of nuance and sophistication into our approach, akin to what you might find at industry-leading investment banks. 

At Addicus Capital Advisors, we aim to go beyond the transactional and make a lasting impact. By incorporating skills reminiscent of Wall Street, such as projection models, NPV analysis, and a thoughtful risk-versus-return framework, we set ourselves apart. Our goal is to navigate the complexities inherent in M&A transactions, ensuring outcomes that exceed typical market expectations. 

At Addicus Capital Advisors, we do not settle. We aspire to challenge the status quo. Our focus on driving value and shaping outcomes is evident in every negotiation, every deal, and every success story we help create. The results we achieve not only meet but exceed industry benchmarks, underscoring the transformative impact that a Wall Street-caliber approach can bring to the middle and lower middle markets.