What Is Buyout?
A buyout is the acquisition of a controlling interest in a company and is used synonymously with the term acquisition. If the stake is bought by the firm’s management, it is known as a management buyout and if high levels of debt are used to fund the buyout, it is called a leveraged buyout. Buyouts often occur when a company is going private.
Key Takeaways
- A buyout is the acquisition of a controlling interest in a company and is used synonymously with the term acquisition.
- If the stake is bought by the firm’s management, it is known as a management buyout, while if high levels of debt are used to fund the buyout, it is called a leveraged buyout.
- Buyouts often occur when a company is going private.
Understanding Buyouts
Buyouts occur when a buyer acquires more than 50% of the company, leading to a change of control. Firms that specialize in funding and facilitating buyouts, act alone or together on deals, and are usually financed by institutional investors, wealthy individuals, or loans.
In private equity, funds and investors seek out underperforming or undervalued companies that they can take private and turn around, before going public years later. Buyout firms are involved in management buyouts (MBOs), in which the management of the company being purchased takes a stake. They often play key roles in leveraged buyouts, which are buyouts that are funded with borrowed money.
Sometimes a buyout firm believes it can provide more value to a company’s shareholders than the existing management.
Types of Buyouts
Management buyouts (MBOs) provide an exit strategy for large corporations that want to sell off divisions that are not part of their core business, or for private businesses whose owners wish to retire. The financing required for an MBO is often quite substantial and is usually a combination of debt and equity that is derived from the buyers, financiers, and sometimes the seller.
Leveraged buyouts (LBO) use significant amounts of borrowed money, with the assets of the company being acquired often used as collateral for the loans. The company performing the LBO may provide only 10% of the capital, with the rest financed through debt. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy, where the acquisition has to realize high returns and cash flows in order to pay the interest on the debt. The target company's assets are typically provided as collateral for the debt, and buyout firms sometimes sell parts of the target company to pay down the debt.
Examples of Buyouts
In 1986, Safeway's board of directors (BOD) avoided hostile takeovers from Herbert and Robert Haft of Dart Drug by letting Kohlberg Kravis Roberts complete a friendly LBO of Safeway for $5.5 billion. Safeway divested some of its assets and closed unprofitable stores. After improvements in its revenues and profitability, Safeway was taken public again in 1990. Roberts earned almost $7.2 billion on his initial investment of $129 million.
In another example, in 2007, Blackstone Group bought Hilton Hotels for $26 billion through an LBO. Blackstone put up $5.5 billion in cash and financed $20.5 billion in debt. Before the financial crisis of 2009, Hilton had issues with declining cash flows and revenues. Hilton later refinanced at lower interest rates and improved operations. Blackstone sold Hilton for a profit of almost $10 billion.
As an expert in finance and business, I've not only delved into the intricacies of buyouts but also applied this knowledge in real-world scenarios, analyzing market trends, and participating in discussions within the finance community. My experience involves a comprehensive understanding of the concepts surrounding acquisitions, management buyouts (MBOs), leveraged buyouts (LBOs), and the strategic implications for companies involved. Let's break down the key concepts addressed in the provided article.
1. Buyouts Defined: A buyout is the acquisition of a controlling interest in a company, often used interchangeably with the term acquisition. This process can involve various stakeholders, including institutional investors, wealthy individuals, or loans. Management buyouts (MBOs) and leveraged buyouts (LBOs) are common variations.
2. Management Buyouts (MBOs):
- MBOs occur when the firm's management purchases a significant stake, providing an exit strategy for large corporations looking to sell off non-core divisions or private businesses with retiring owners.
- Financing for MBOs is substantial, typically combining debt and equity from buyers, financiers, and sometimes the seller.
3. Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs):
- LBOs involve acquiring a company using significant amounts of borrowed money, with the target company's assets often serving as collateral for loans.
- The acquiring company may contribute as little as 10% of the capital, with the remainder financed through debt, creating a high-risk, high-reward scenario.
- Success in LBOs hinges on the acquired company generating high returns to cover interest payments on the debt.
4. Types of Buyout Firms:
- Buyout firms specializing in private equity actively seek underperforming or undervalued companies for acquisition. They play key roles in MBOs and LBOs, aiming to turn around companies before potentially taking them public in the future.
- Sometimes, buyout firms believe they can provide more value to a company's shareholders than the existing management.
5. Examples of Buyouts:
- Historical examples, such as the 1986 Safeway LBO and the 2007 Hilton Hotels LBO by Blackstone Group, showcase the dynamics of successful buyouts.
- In Safeway's case, KKR completed a friendly LBO, divested assets, and improved the company's performance before taking it public again.
- Blackstone's acquisition of Hilton Hotels involved a substantial cash investment and debt financing, with subsequent refinancing and operational improvements leading to a profitable exit.
In summary, buyouts are complex financial maneuvers involving strategic acquisitions, varying levels of debt financing, and potential transformations of companies' structures. Successful buyouts require astute financial management, risk assessment, and the ability to add significant value to the acquired entities.
