Friday 28 September 2012

What About the Form of Payment?

Public company take-over bids typically consist of all cash or a combination of cash and shares.  This is largely because the board of directors of a public company agreeing to an earn-out will be subject to serious questions (read lawsuits) if things turn out other than expected.
Consideration in private company acquisitions will usually include a sizable portion in cash (50 to 100%) but will often include an unsecured note and/or an earn-out as well.  This is typically because: (i) the buyer does not have (or have access to), the amount of cash required to complete the acquisition (particularly in the case of an MBO), (ii) the greater risk surrounding private companies (risks such as customer concentration, dependence on key suppliers, etc.) and (iii), buyers can usually stretch to a higher price if the purchase price is not all cash.  For example, $25 million all cash vs. $30 million two-thirds cash and one-third note ...which one would you pick?
There are a number of issues to consider when assessing the likelihood of realizing deferred consideration.  A dollar not received at closing is a dollar at risk.  In the case of a vendor note, the first question is, can it be fully secured by hard saleable assets (such as land, a building or other fixed salable assets owned by the acquirer).  This is not often the case.  If the amount is under-secured (i.e. 50% asset coverage) or unsecured, the terms have to reflect increased risk and due diligence should be performed on the buyer to get comfortable with its risk profile and prospects.  The higher the risk the higher the interest rate, and the more covenants and timely reporting are required.  Perhaps the most important item is timely reporting allowing for quick remediation.  Issues such as lawsuits, product defects/recalls, loss of customers can turn the fortunes of a company very quickly.
Earn-outs are tricky as well.  Earn-outs are more prevalent when the seller presents a strong growth forecast (for which he/she wants value).  If the seller will not entertain an earn-out, does that mean he/she does not believe in the forecast? They are not usually ironclad.  Many earn-out proposals begin with a premise along the following lines.  If you achieve $5 million in EBITDA you will earn another $x amount in purchase price.  Does this mean that if the company generates $4.9 million you get nothing? … and how is EBITDA calculated?  The acquiring company could incur discretionary expenses that you would not incur, or layer on additional overhead or, most drastic, a fundamental change of business direction could be required?
There are many possible situations to consider and many creative mechanisms and approaches to making vendor notes and earn-outs work.  For example, if the seller agrees that 75% of the earn-out will be paid if 75% of the target revenues are reached then he/she should also seek 125% of the earn-out when 125% of the revenues are reached.  Earn-outs can be tied to achieving development milestones, securing customer contracts but if earn-outs are based on the financial statements, then the higher up the income statement (i.e. sales vs. profit) the better… less room for manipulation. From a legal perspective it is important that purchase and sale contracts are clear, account for all possible scenarios, and that security is properly perfected in all relevant jurisdictions.
Un(der)secured notes and earn-outs can get very complex and this is where experienced advisors and lawyers really earn their stripes.

Derek van der Plaat, CFA has worked in private market M&A for more than 20 years and is a Managing Director with Veracap Corporate Finance in Toronto.


No comments:

Post a Comment