An acquisition deal is a formal agreement that establishes the terms of a company’s purchase and transfer of ownership of a business. The parties involved in an acquisition deal include the company’s shareholders, management, and other stakeholders. An important factor in a successful acquisition deal is communication between all the parties involved. Without transparency between the two parties, it is easy for misunderstandings and complications to arise that can delay or even derail the process. The parties involved in an acquisition deal work together to find a solution that meets the needs of all involved and creates value for both parties.
There are a variety of different ways to structure an acquisition deal, including equity financing (buying the company with existing shares of stock), debt financing (using loans or bonds), and a combination. In most cases, the acquisition deal will focus on how the company purchasing the other company or assets is funding the transaction, how it impacts financial risk and leverage, and any potential impact on shareholder equity.
It is also important to consider whether the acquisition will be horizontal, vertical, or congeneric. Horizontal acquisitions occur when a company purchases a similar company in the same industry sector. In the past, companies diversified by buying into industries that were both different from and complementary to their own in order to smooth out cyclical bumps in their business or hedge their investment portfolio. In more recent times, companies have consolidated their market share by buying out smaller competitors.