Managing M&A Transactions

In M&A two heads are usually more effective than one. Joining forces can save money on duplicate roles, systems and licenses, as well as cut down on tedious manual tasks that cause a loss of productivity. It can also boost revenue and market share.

The M&A process can involve a variety of virtual data room software kinds of transactions. This includes equity, asset sales transactions and mergers. The first step is to evaluate the potential target. This usually involves discussions at a high level between buyers and sellers to determine how they could effectively work together and what synergies might be realized.

Once the preliminary evaluation is completed after which the parties can begin negotiations. This is when the specifics of the deal are determined, including determining which assets or liabilities are transferred and on what terms. Negotiations are influenced by a number of aspects, including the manner in which the business is valued, the method used for valuation of the company being targeted and the form (shares or asset sale) of acquisition.

Another aspect to consider is motivation behind the sale. The motivation for the sale can have a significant effect on the amount and price of leverage that is applied to the transaction. For instance, in a hostile acquisition, the buyer may attempt to purchase the target business without the approval of its board of directors. This could be risky and result in litigation, therefore an attentive consideration of the motives for selling is essential.