Articles

In mergers and acquisitions, a letter of intent or term sheet can clarify expectations and responsibilities to both parties. The primary purpose is to ensure the parties agree to key terms before they utilize significant resources in pursuit of an acquisition. Here’s what to include, and how to structure an acquisition letter of intent.

As many as 80% of small and middle market businesses that go up for sale never close the deal. Many begin the negotiation process only to see a deal fall apart. These 10 factors are common culprits.

Selling your business can be equal parts daunting and exciting. You’ll need to address legal, tax, and practical considerations. One of the most daunting legal complexities is deciding how to structure the sale: as a stock or asset sale? Let’s look at the key features of the two sale varieties.

During the sales process, you’ll probably sign a letter of intent (LOI) that initiates the process of due diligence and grants the buyer a limited period of exclusivity. After that, you’ll need to draft a purchase agreement. This incorporates the terms in the LOI, adds negotiated terms and conditions, and will be the point of…

The decision to sell or retain a business is a question pondered by many business owners. Selling a business is a momentous decision and involves critical analysis and contemplation. Although there are a myriad of factors that influence this decision, most of the pertinent issues fall into two primary categories: Financial and Lifestyle Considerations.

Typically, the market will establish a price range for a company, just as it determines a price range for products and services; however, value maximization can only be achieved when the universe of qualified and motivated prospects fully appreciate a company’s future growth and earnings potential.

Typical high-level concerns for business owners considering the sale of their business include maintaining confidentiality, understanding and obtaining a realistic company valuation, formulating a favorable deal structure, and choosing the right professionals to represent them in the process.

Sun Mergers & Acquisitions’ sister company, Sun Business Valuations, conducts business valuations for a wide variety of purposes. These reasons include negotiating a sale, securing financing, settling a legal dispute, and for a shareholder buyout to name a few.

While you may be thinking about selling your business, the timing may not be right for an outright sale. Perhaps the shareholders remain passionate about the business and want to increase its value prior to pursuing a traditional sale.

For many companies, 2011 can be categorized as a transitional year. Business owners finally appeared to be settling in and getting comfortable with the “new normal” that has presented itself after years of unpredictability and turmoil resulting from a wavering economy.