Don’t rush to get a signed letter of intent (LOI) by kicking the can down the road on price. A signed LOI is a significant milestone in the M&A process, indicating mutual interest in an acquisition. The document covers the basic parameters of the deal that both buyer and seller agree to including what will …
Tag: Letter of Intent
What Not to Include in the Letter of Intent
A letter of intent (LOI) is one of the most commonly used tools for moving a deal forward. The LOI outlines the basic parameters for an acquisition including the period of exclusivity, purchase price and consideration, preferred deal structure, and expiration date. The LOI is your chance to communicate the strategic value of an acquisition …
Will Your Acquisition Fall Apart?
While it’s an important milestone, a signed letter of intent does not guarantee a successful acquisition. Just ask Pfizer who withdrew its $150 billion bid to acquire Allergan after signing a LOI. Pfizer ended up paying a breakup fee of $150 million. After the LOI is signed, you still have a few major steps to take before the acquisition …
3 Ways to Maintain Momentum from LOI to Close
After signing a letter of intent, you expect the deal to close, but there are a number of reasons acquisitions fail ranging from regulatory hurdles to unexpected challenges that arise during due diligence to cultural clashes. In my last post, I discussed reasons deals fall apart even after both parties sign a LOI. Here are …
3 Reasons Deals Fall Apart Post Letter of Intent
Remember that just because a deal is announced, it doesn’t mean it will go through. A record number of M&A transactions announced in 2015 have been cancelled bringing the total deal value down from $4.374 trillion to $78 billion. Unfortunately cancelled deals mean a lot of time, resources and effort were wasted putting together these …
The LOI Audience: More than Just the Owner
Do you know who will read your letter of intent? Many assume that only the owner of the company you wish to purchase will read the LOI, but often there’s a wider audience. While the owner is your top priority, there are other likely readers of the LOI you need to consider: the board of …
Why Use a Nonbinding Letter of Intent?
There are many tools available to help move a transaction forward, ranging from a simple handshake agreement to a formal purchase agreement with contingencies. We have found one of the most useful tools for moving the M&A process along is the nonbinding letter of intent. To further understand the advantages of the nonbinding LOI, we’ve outlined …
Narrow vs. Comprehensive Letter of Intent
The Letter of Intent (LOI) is an important milestone on the M&A process and is used to crystallize the most important terms of the deal. While the LOI is an important legal document, it also brings a new level of commitment and resolve to the deal. The LOI can be “narrow” or “comprehensive.” Narrow LOI …
High or Low? What Price Should You Put in the LOI?
I’m frequently asked about the “right” price to put in the letter of intent. As you will know, the LOI is an important milestone in the M&A process, because it establishes a “gentleman’s agreement” before the formal deal is settled. You have yet to compete due diligence at this stage, and figuring out the right …
How to Address Price in the LOI
Although buyers usually prefer not to include price for fear of ramifications later, most sellers want to see a price mentioned in the LOI. If this is the case, I recommend inclusion. The key is to establish a narrow price range. If you believe the business is worth $35 million, then the LOI should propose …
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