When a business owner is considering the possible sale of their company, one of the first questions he or she is probably going to ask is who wants to buy it?

There are typically two types of possible buyers in an M&A transaction. The first type of buyer is financial sponsors usually called private equity firms. These firms look to make acquisitions as financial investments. The second type of buyer is strategic buyers who look to make an acquisition of a business that is a potential fit into their current operations or enables them to achieve strategic goals.

The financial buyers generally are more concerned with the valuation and risk of an acquisition compared to strategic buyers. The financial buyers care much more about the target company’s current and projected financials and are generally in constant contact with financial advisers and intermediaries looking for possible acquisition candidates to pursue. By definition, financial buyers are very value conscious.

Strategic buyers are generally looking for companies that can fit into their own operations and, other than the obvious candidates, can be more difficult to identify. Strategic buyers or just “strategics” usually are competitors, suppliers or other companies that operate in the seller’s industry or related industries. The advantage of these types of buyers is that they tend to operate a similar a business so it may be easier for them to understand the seller’s operations, motives for selling, and possible risks.

Depending on an owner’s motives for selling and his or her desire for involvement post-closing, either type of buyer may be appropriate. Having an experienced M&A adviser to identify, contact, negotiate, and structure a transaction with these buyers is essential in order to ensure the most value for the business and the best terms to make sure that the owner is properly compensated and, if wanted, a desirable role with the company after the acquisition is complete.

As the chart below shows, M&A activity has expanded rather dramatically over the last five years. We expect this trend to continue, but not forever!

Are you prepared for the next bear market?

We all know that the world’s economies are cyclical. The current bull market has been going for about 5.5 years versus an average of 4 years. Given this simple fact, it’s important to focus on your M&A goals and strategies. To be clear, we do not believe that the next bear market is imminent. We do; however, believe in being ahead of the curve.
Now is a good time to start a transaction that will either close by year-end or early next year. Too many entrepreneurs and companies procrastinate only to find it’s too late to maximize value or miss valuable opportunities. The question is, given the current strength of the M&A market, why wait to pursue a transaction?

The chart below shows the first six months of M&A activity for both 2013 and 2014. In all geographies, the volume, year over year, has increased.

The gradual improvement in the world’s economies is driving this increase in M&A activity and pushing multiples up. For example, across all industry sectors, the Enterprise Value to Revenues multiple, has increased from 1.17x in 2012 to 1.26x in 2013 to 1.50x in 2014.

Versailles Group is pleased to announce that it was awarded the Financial Adviser of the Year Award for the sale of Photon Technology International Inc. to Horiba Ltd.

Here is the link to the actual Press Release from Yahoo Finance.

The text of the Press Release is listed below for your convenience.

BOSTON, July 15, 2014 — Versailles Group, Ltd. (www.versaillesgroup.com) announced today that it was awarded the Financial Adviser of the Year Award for the sale of Photon Technology International Inc. (www.pti-nj.com), to Horiba Ltd. (www.horiba.com) (TSE:6856). Versailles Group acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Photon Technology International Inc. Terms were not disclosed. The transaction closed on Feb. 10.
The award was granted by UK-based AI Global Media, Acquisition International Magazine and DealFlow Source. Voted for by a global network of expert M&A professionals, advisers, clients, peers, and industry insiders, the award celebrates excellence in all areas of M&A.

The winner of this award was determined by three factors. First, voting forms were distributed to Acquisition International Magazine’s dedicated base of 53,000+ subscribers and over 150,000 individuals in its in-house database. Second, Acquisition International does substantial in-house research. Third, Acquisition International asks nominees to supply supporting documentation which they feel may cement their nominations. All of this information is used to make a determination as to which firm will receive the Financial Adviser of the Year Award.

About Versailles Group
Versailles Group, a 27-year-old Boston-based investment bank that specializes in international mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, advised Photon Technology International Inc.’s shareholders on the transaction. Versailles Group works with companies in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Asia, and South America.

About Acquisition International Magazine
Acquisition International is a monthly magazine published by AI Global Media Ltd., a publishing house that specializes in corporate finance news and reporting. AI works alongside leading industry analysts to ensure it publishes the most up to date figures and analysis. Acquisition International has a global circulation, which brings together all parties involved in deal making. In an increasingly global deal market Acquisition International Magazine is uniquely positioned to reach the deal makers that matter.

Worldwide M&A activity is continuing at a rapid pace this year for a number of reasons including the availability of credit, the robust liquidity of large companies and private equity firms, and the continued improvement in the economy.

By sector, Financials, Healthcare, and Consumer Discretionary transactions accounted for over half of the M&A transaction value. If one examines M&A transactions by the number of transactions, 66 percent of the transactions were completed in the Financial, Consumer Discretionary, and Industrials sectors.

The following pie chart and table show M&A activity by sector.

Worldwide, the number of M&A transactions, year-to-date, has increased, year-over-year, by nearly 1%. While the Africa/Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America/Caribbean regions have all seen increases of approximately 10%, it has been a different story for the United States/Canada and Europe regions. The United States and Canada have experienced a 1% increase, while Europe has suffered a 6% decrease.

It is no shock that M&A in Europe is slowing down as a result of the economic and political turmoil over the past couple years; however, it may be surprising that M&A activity in the other regions has seen such large gains. We believe that companies will continue diversifying into the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions as the uncertainty about Europe’s future continues.

The economic and political uncertainties in Europe have undoubtedly contributed to the decrease in M&A transactions in the region. Companies are likely hesitant to engage in significant deals amidst the turbulent environment. On the other hand, the robust growth in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions may indicate a shift in focus for companies looking to diversify their portfolios and expand into more stable markets. As Europe continues to navigate its challenges, it is expected that M&A activity in these regions will continue to flourish.

While the slowdown in M&A activity in Europe is understandable given the economic and political challenges the region has faced, the significant gains in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions may come as a surprise to some. As companies seek to mitigate risks and explore new opportunities, we anticipate a continued trend of diversification into these growing markets. The uncertainty surrounding Europe's future has undoubtedly influenced this shift in focus, with businesses looking to establish a stronger foothold in more stable and promising regions. As the global landscape evolves, it is clear that companies are adapting their strategies to navigate the changing tides of the M&A landscape.