2022 M&A Outlook Drivers: Tax changes, Interest Rates, Recession Warnings plus industry sector analysis

M&A transaction activity increased throughout 2021 and continues in 2022. Many private company owners are now working to close a transaction before year-end 2022 and avoid the uncertainty of a new economic, inflationary and tax environment in 2023.  There are three key reasons business owners are …
2022 M&A Outlook

M&A transaction activity is booming. With President Biden’s $1.75 trillion Build Back Better plan, what’s the outlook for 2022?

Merger Acquisition transaction activity has been increasing throughout 2021. Many business owners have been working to close a transaction before year-end and avoid the uncertainty of a new tax environment in 2022. President Biden’s $1.75 trillion Build Back Better (BBB) Act may soon become law, bringing tax reforms with it, but many of the plan’s initial tax proposals were …
M&A Outlook 2022

How will capital gains tax increases in 2022 impact M&A this year?

Business acquisitions accelerate in response to President Biden’s plan to double the long-term capital gains tax rate for those at the top, from 20% to 40%. When you include the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) and some state income taxes, you could be looking at a 48% all-in capital gains tax rate by January 1, 2022. In this report, we discuss the biggest drivers of accelerated business sale activity, as well as analyze the outlook for eight industry sectors.

How does Biden’s $2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Impact Mergers & Acquisitions in 2021?

We expect to see a list of proposed tax increases for businesses and business owners under the new Administration, possibly reversing 2017 tax cuts. The first tax increases are expected to roll out in 2022, but there’s a possibility a capital gains tax increase for the wealthiest Americans could take effect even sooner. Biden has also proposed closing the current …

Mergers & Acquisitions Rebound after COVID and the Election – 2021 ClearRidge Outlook

The short story is good news. A rebound is expected in mergers and acquisitions in 2021, gaining momentum throughout the year. Top of mind in Spring is the COVID-19 recovery, vaccine rollout and return to a new normal. Second, we have the implications of a new political climate. Without bias to any political party, a divided congress may be the best …
Mergers Acquisitions 2021

Mergers & Acquisitions Outlook and COVID-19 Update

Deal data is now available through the end of the second quarter 2020. In this report, we review our region’s most active industry sectors and offer an outlook for Fall 2020. We now have data to back up our initial insights into the COVID-19 impact on the U.S. economy, specific industry sectors and the outlook for M&A.  As forecast in ...

Surprises to selling a company in COVID-19

We had several acquisitions working in March when everything shut down and were not expecting to initiate any new engagements until late summer. However, we did start discussions on a new acquisition at the end of May. Surprisingly to us, the response was overwhelmingly positive and, as of last week, we have nine bona fide offers to acquire this company, five of which are at or above pre-COVID market value. How could this be?

M&A Outlook 2020 and COVID-19 Update

In the current COVID-19 climate, we are replacing our analysis of M&A data in the most recent quarter (January-March) with an outlook for M&A activity through the remainder of 2020. The first quarter of 2020 seems a long time ago and has minimal influence on the current M&A environment. Conversely, we now have initial insights into the COVID-19 impact on the U.S. economy, specific industry sectors and the outlook for M&A.

How does a Presidential Election Impact the Sale of My Business?

What happens to M&A in the run up to the 2020 Presidential Election? In past election years with an incumbent President, there has been a slowdown in M&A activity from October into mid-November, but how about 2016? Most experts got it wrong. Prior to the 2016 Presidential election, …

Is 2020 the right time to sell my company?

We were recently asked by a client if current market conditions are right for the sale of his company. There are two parts to the question: “current market conditions” and “for his company.”  The primary driver of the decision should be an analysis of his particular, unique business.  Current market conditions are an external driver of his company's performance and also impact the price a buyer will pay for his company, but they are only one factor of many factors that impact business valuation and timing for a sale.

Mergers and Acquisitions Report Q2 and Fall 2017 Outlook

We are in the third quarter of 2017 and deal data is now available through the end of the second quarter of 2017. In this report, we review our region’s most active industry sectors and give an outlook for the remaining 2017 year.

Mergers and Acquisitions Report Full Year 2016 and 2017 Outlook

We are in the first quarter of 2017 and deal data is now available through the end of the fourth quarter for full year 2016. In this report, we review our region’s most active industry sectors and give an outlook for 2017. Analysis by Sector: i. Aerospace ii. Chemicals iii. Construction and Engineering iv. Energy: Oil and Gas v. Healthcare vi. Manufacturing vii. Transportation, Logistics, Distribution viii. Telecommunications

Mergers and Acquisitions Report Q3 and 2017 Outlook

In this report, we review our region’s most active industry sectors and give an outlook for 2017. Before we consider each industry, let’s start with the overall economy and the most talked about Trump effect. The polls were wrong and the improbable happened. The economic outlook for 2017 has also changed as a result, mostly for the better. The Federal government is ...

Mergers & Acquisitions Report Q2 and Outlook for 2016

In this report, we review our region’s most active industry sectors and give an outlook for the remainder of 2016. The business mood and M&A environment remains positive and there continues to be demand from buyers for niche companies that are outperforming their competitors. There is no shortage of cash available for acquisitions; it is a matter of being able to

Mergers & Acquisitions Report Q1 and Outlook for 2016

We are in the second quarter of 2016 and deal data is now available through the end of the first quarter. In this report, we review our region’s most active industry sectors and give an outlook for the remainder of 2016.

Mergers & Acquisitions Outlook for 2016 and Q3 2015 Review

We are in the fourth quarter of 2015 and mergers and acquisitions data is now available through the end of the third quarter for business owners selling their company. In this report, we review our region’s most active industry sectors and give an outlook for 2016.

Section 338 Business Sale –Stock Sale, with Asset Sale Tax Treatment

What is a 338 Election? How would I use it when I sell my business? In a typical acquisition (using an S-corporation as an example), the seller seeks to maximize capital gains, on which they pay a lower tax rate, and the buyer seeks to maximize the present value of tax deductions. While this may be desired, there may be a need to effect the transaction as a stock deal rather than an asset deal.

ClearRidge 2014 Middle Market M&A Advisory Firm of the Year

June 12, 2014. ClearRidge, an Oklahoma Investment Banking firm, was named Middle Market M&A Advisory Firm of the Year by Acquisition International. Click "More" to read full article.

First Wave MRO acquired by Tray Siegfried and Jon Werthen. Oklahoma Aerospace Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul firm.

December 17, 2012. First Wave MRO, Inc. enters into Agreement to sell its assets to a newly-formed entity, owned by Tray Siegfried and Jon Werthen. The Company was advised by ClearRidge.

TCI Services, Inc. was acquired by Team Industrial Services, the largest specialized industrial services company in North America.

September 28, 2012. TCI Services, also known as Tank Consultants, was acquired by Team Industrial Services (NYSE:TISI), the largest specialized industrial services company in North America. The Company was advised by Managing Directors of ClearRidge, acting in their capacity as registered representatives of Burch & Company, Inc.

Warren & Christian, Inc. acquired by the Reservoir Group, an Aberdeen, Scotland company focused on down-hole drilling products and services.

February 6, 2012. ClearRidge , an Oklahoma investment banking firm, announced the acquisition of Warren & Christian, Inc., an Oklahoma oil field services company by Reservoir Group, an Aberdeen, Scotland company focused on down-hole drilling products and services. Principals of ClearRidge were CRTS' advisor throughout the M&A sale process.

SBS Industries, Inc. of Tulsa, OK acquired by Gladstone Investment Corporation (Nasdaq: GAIN).

September 1, 2011. Gladstone Investment Corporation (Nasdaq: GAIN) announced the acquisition of SBS Industries, Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma. SBS Industries was advised by ClearRidge , an Oklahoma investment banking firm. SBS Industries founded in 1975 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a manufacturer and value-added distributor of specialty fasteners and threaded screw products.

Acquisitions: Earnings Multiples or Absolute Valuations?

How is it possible to make an acquisition valuation based only upon earnings multiples in disparate economic environments and business climates? And how heavily should we rely upon “standard” earnings multiples for comparable transactions in an industry?

Lending for Business – Debt Ceiling Concerns?

In April and May, commercial and industrial lending was strong, companies were opening up new revolvers and refinancing at reduced rates. Banks were allowing extended maturities and were eager to put money to work; so much so, that some banks were loosening lending standards to offer favorable terms to those with less than strong credits.

Implications of Earnouts when you sell your business – Tax Focus

First, a couple of thoughts on earnouts when you sell your business. While an earnouts is often seen as a mechanism to defer payment of the purchase price; if used correctly, it should in fact be consideration to the seller of a company over and above full cash paid at closing. Earnouts should not be considered part of the purchase price if/until they materialize and are paid to the seller, but why not set additional opportunities to increase the purchase price paid, over and above the full cash price paid? If “x” is the maximum that a buyer will pay for a company in cash at closing, it is still possible to negotiate “x” at closing, plus an additional 25-50% or more after closing. As with most things in life and business, it is not the tool that is at fault, it is the way that it can be misused and misunderstood.

CRTS, Inc. of Tulsa, OK acquired by Insituform Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: INSU).

July 5, 2011. Insituform Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: INSU) announced the acquisition of CRTS, Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bruce Jones and Matthew Bristow of ClearRidge were CRTS' advisor throughout the M&A sale process. CRTS, Inc., is a leader in pipeline coating services based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

How would high inflation affect Oklahoma businesses?

Well, this may seem a strange day to write about inflation – I just read this morning that fixed-rate mortgage rates have dropped this week to the lowest level this year, with a 15-year available at 3.75%. However, it doesn’t do much good to dwell on the past or present – we should always be considering other scenarios in the future to stay ahead of the competition.

When should you sign a Letter of Intent – Business Buyer vs. Business Seller?

One purpose of a LOI is to document a mutual agreement between the buyer and seller on the major points of the purchase and sale of a business. With this in mind, a LOI is often signed much too early in the process. There is an understandable eagerness if you are selling a business to receive a Letter of Intent from a prospective buyer as early as possible. In some cases, business owners are even advised that they should request a LOI in order to learn price and terms from the prospective buyer.

Positive M&A trend gaining momentum for midsized private companies

April 25, 2011. The positive start for Oklahoma and Midwest mergers and acquisitions activity in 2011 is gaining strength and momentum. Higher prices, cash at closing, more deals getting done. Click "More" below to read this article.

Consolidation in Oklahoma Community and Regional Banks?

April 11, 2011. We are going to consider the reasons behind the likely reduction in number of banks in Oklahoma and some of the implications. Is there anything that can be done to preserve more small, regional banks or is this change inevitable?

Consolidation in Oklahoma’s Community and Regional Banks?

If Oklahoma follows the national trend, there is likely to be consolidation in Oklahoma’s regional and community banks. At the same time, we would expect some of Oklahoma’s banks to double or triple in size in the coming years. We’re going to consider the reasons behind this and some of the implications.

Building a bridge to the other side: Plan and process for strategic success.

How do you determine where to start in a new strategic business project? In simple terms, you need to be in clear and detailed agreement among all stakeholders on where you are and where you want to get to before you start planning how you want to get there. Clear communication between a Company’s senior management and their advisors is also critical. If we’re engaged on a M&A, restructuring or corporate finance project, there is a lot at stake and this blog highlights some of our planning considerations.

Winter storm hit your deal?

What happens when an unexpected winter storm hits your deal and what can be done to prevent this happening? If you can’t prevent it, how do you reduce the negative impact? In the same way as with this historic winter storm that hit our region, you may not be able to prevent it, but at least with the storm we had meteorologists predicting significant snowfall before it happened. We may have thought they were exaggerating the extent of the storm a few days out, but by the day before, most people had acknowledged that it was going to be severe and took the necessary precautions. Can you imagine the impact if we hadn’t had any forecast and preparation time in advance?

Reuters: M&A has busiest January in 11 years

January 28, 2011. Dealmaking is back on the agenda as CEOs step up the hunt for ways to put a multitrillion-dollar cash pile to work, triggering the busiest January for M&A in 11 years.

Cedar Creek Lumber Announces a Recapitalization with Charlesbank

May 20, 2010. Cedar Creek announces a recapitalization by Charlesbank Capital Partners, who acquire majority ownership of Cedar Creek, the largest cedar distributor in the United States. Cedar Creek was advised by ClearRidge.