As PE Investment Slows, Competition For Quality Remains Fierce by Garrett James Black, PitchBook
Although overall deal value remains fairly strong on a historical basis, it’s clear U.S. PE investment is experiencing a downturn. Yet, even in a slowing 4Q 2015, median EV/EBITDA multiples for companies with enterprise values exceeding $250 million remained on the higher end, closing in on 12x.
U.S. PE investment
Taken in conjunction with diminishing activity, that may well be the result of only quality deals closing in an uncertain environment. At the same time, it reflects the current dealmaking landscape: PE firms are flush with capital and able to secure financing for certain prospects, thus enabling high bids even as they shy away from the previous level of activity.
The fact multiples are particularly high for companies with EVs greater than $250 million also testifies to the level of competition within that playing field, with PE investors and strategic acquirers vying against each other. The question is whether these multiples will sustain at an elevated level once final numbers for 1Q 2016 come in.
With a more dramatic drop in completed deals, the hunt for quality opportunities has only intensified if anything, and thus what deals have closed likely have been for similarly sizable sums, given the healthy level of total deal value. Talk of disconnects between the expectations of sellers and buyers continue, with buyers increasingly reluctant to pay the prices seen through much of 2015, although most seem to veer toward the opinion it’s still a seller’s market.
Consequently, subdued activity seems likeliest going forward, with buyers still paying high multiples when justifiable—perhaps reverting back to medians between 10x and 11x—as opposed to what was seen at the end of 2015.
Note: This column was previously published in The Lead Left.
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