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5.1·5 min read

Deal Comps

Precedent transactions value a company off the multiples paid in comparable past acquisitions, which tend to run higher than trading comps.

By the end you can
  • Define precedent transaction analysis
  • Explain why deal multiples exceed trading multiples
Precedent transaction analysis

A relative-valuation method that applies the multiples paid in comparable past M&A deals to the target - what acquirers actually paid, rather than where companies trade.

Deal comps usually run higher

Acquirers pay a premium over the unaffected trading price to win control and capture , so transaction multiples are typically higher than trading-comp multiples. That makes them a useful read on a likely takeover price.

Check yourself

Precedent transaction multiples are usually: