2018 Will Be a Great Time to Sell a Business

By Generational Equity

12/15/2017

A record high stock market, continued low interest rates and trillions of dollars in available capital will make 2018 an ideal time to sell a business, according to our M&A professionals at Generational Equity.

“The stars are definitely aligning for a robust seller’s market in 2018,” said Terry Johnson, Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer for Generational Equity. “Business owners that recognize this, and are wise enough to hire a professional M&A firm, will reap significant dividends.”

Three Key Factors

1. Record Stock Prices: Both the Dow Jones and NASDAQ are at record highs, which facilitates funding for publicly traded companies to expand through acquisitions.

“Acquisitions are often the fastest and most cost-effective way for public companies to grow to meet shareholder expectations,” says Johnson. “A rising stock market provides a wave of capital to fund deals.”

2. Low Interest Rates: Despite recent Fed increases, interest rates remain relatively low. The lower the rates, the easier it is to finance a deal. Even though the new incoming Fed Chairman, Jerome Powell, has indicated he will continue the policy of slowly raising rates in 2018, when compared to the long-term history of rate hikes, interest rates will still remain at historic lows.

3. Dry Powder: According to Bloomberg, private equity firms are “sitting on a record $963.3 billion of dry powder,” committed capital that they’ve raised, but have yet to invest. “Buyers are looking for well-run businesses where they can profitably invest these funds,” Johnson says. He added, “PE funds typically have a limited time frame for investing. Because of this we anticipate a serious uptick in acquisition activity from these groups.”

“Savvy business owners will consider these three factors when making the decision on the timing of their exit strategy,” says Johnson.

“The sad reality is that some sellers wait until death, illness or a myriad of other negative circumstances force a sale at a substantial discount,” says Johnson. “The right time to sell is when the market tells you it is time. Business owners that recognize this, and take action, will be rewarded.”

Attend a Generational Equity Executive Conference in 2018

With this strong seller’s market set to continue into the new year, 2018 could be the time to address your exit strategy and set the wheels in motion to sell your business. A helpful first step would be to attend an executive conference. At these events, our experienced M&A advisors will break down the M&A process, as well as share advice and tips for building a buyer ready business that will allow you to exit for maximum value.

Our executive conferences are completely complimentary, and are held regularly throughout North America – find one near you today on our website. Alternatively, contact Generational Equity on 972-232-1121 to talk to our professional team.