What is an EBITDA Multiple and What Kind Would My Company Warrant

WHAT IS AN EBITDA MULTIPLE?

This is more complicated than just assuming that the going rate multiple is 4 times. Firstly, a multiple is simply the inverse of the rate of return that an investment in a business should return to the shareholders. If the rate of return expectation over the long term is 25%, then 1 divided by 25% equals 4; therefore the multiple is 4x. EBITDA represents cash flow available to all shareholders in the business, most notably, business owners and bankers. Therefore, the multiple on these cash flows should correspond to their respective expected rates of return on the capital that they have invested in the business. A cash flow multiple must be matched appropriately to the right income stream. Meaning if you are using a pre-tax income stream the multiple should be based on a pre-tax rate of return. Similarly, if the income stream is available only to the shareholders after paying out all taxes and interest costs, the multiple should be one that includes the rate of return for shareholders on an after tax basis.

CALCULATING THE EBITDA MULTIPLE

There are several technical components involved in calculating an EBITDA multiple: n n n n n Equity Rate of Return Interest Rate on Debt Appropriate Capital Structure (percentage of debt and equity or debt to equity ratio) Expected sustainable growth rate for EBITDA Capital expenditures as a percentage of EBITDA

Outlined below is a sample calculation of an EBITDA multiple. Equity rate of return is calculated using a build-up approach, meaning we start with a risk free rate of return (government of Canada bond) of say 5%. To that we add risk premiums, as the risk profile of the investment increases. For example:
Risk free rate - long Canada bonds Add: Public market equity risk premium Add: Public market small/micro cap size premium Add: Company specific factors Add: Liquidity premium for privately held equity investment After tax rate of return on Equity Tax rate Pre-tax rate of return on Equity 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 25% 30% 36%

n For the interest rate on long term debt we will assume a blended rate of 10% for all long term debt (conventional term and sub debt). n As for the appropriate capital structure we can assume a debt to equity ratio of 1 to 2, which corresponds to debt of 33% and equity of 66% n Expected sustaining growth rate for EBITDA of 5%
What is an EBITDA Multiple and What Kind Would My Company Warrant 1

n Capital expenditures as a percentage of EBITDA of 10% - meaning that if EBITDA is $2 million, capital expenditures to support the growth of 5% (above) is approximately $200,000 per year. Using these components, the EBITDA multiple is calculated as follows:
Pre-tax return on equity Debt rate Growth rate Appropriate amount of debt per leverage analysis: Value of levered equity WACC = ((E/(E+F)*D)+((1-E/(E+F))*C) + G EBITDA before CAPEX Multiple CAPEX as a % of EBITDA EBITDA multiple - after CAPEX C D G E F WACC 1/WACC = F G F - G = Net EBITDA Multiple 36% 10% -5% 33% 67% 22% 4.5 10% 4.0

In summary, the illustration above is the detailed way to determine an EBITDA multiple. When someone tells you they got a 4 x EBITDA for their business, you will understand what it means.

WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED WHAT KIND OF EBITDA MULTIPLE WOULD A COMPANY LIKE MINE GET?
Now that the EBITDA multiple mystery is untangled, the more pressing question business owners ask is What kind of EBITDA multiple would a company like mine get? EBITDA multiples are often discussed loosely and can depend on what EBITDA is used and how EBITDA is positioned when selling. Is the valuation based on a 12 month trailing basis, weighted average, forecast results, or a combination of historical and forecasted results? Is the working capital surplus included and what other normalizations to EBITDA are reflected? Consider the following example of Zenith Manufacturing with the following EBITDA profile.
Trailing 12 months $1.5 million

Zenith EBITDA

2009 $1.0 million

2010 $1.2 million

2011 $1.3 million

2012 $1.4 million

2013 forecast $1.5 million

As illustrated in Scenario A, a 4x EBITDA multiple results in dramatically different results depending on what EBITDA is being discussed.

Zenith Manufacturing EBITDA Simple 4 year Average Weighted Average Most recent fiscal year Trailing 12 months Forecast $1.2 million $1.3 million $1.4 million $1.5 million $1.5 million

Scenario A Enterprise Value Multiple 4.0 x 4.0 x 4.0 x 4.0 x 4.0 x $4.9 million $5.2 million $5.8 million $6.0 million $6.0 million

Scenario B Enterprise Implied Value Multiple $5.5 million $5.5 million $5.5 million $5.5 million $5.5 million 4.5 x 4.2 x 3.8 x 3.7 x 3.7 x

What is an EBITDA Multiple and What Kind Would My Company Warrant

Furthermore, Scenario B shows that the EBITDA multiple can be significantly different when discussing the same purchase price. What level of EBITDA multiple does a business garner in the marketplace when the time comes to sell is based on a number of factors, some of which include:

n The economic outlook and forecast n The quality of the management team n The competitiveness of the industry n Balance sheet condition n Historical growth profile n Consistency of track record

ABOUT EQUICAPITA
Equicapita is a private equity fund that acquires established, private, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) located primarily in Western Canada. Equicapita's investment drivers are to acquire operating companies at attractive valuations, with a history of generating sustainable cash flow and proven management teams. Equicapita believes that there is: - a generational opportunity to acquire baby boomer SMEs; and - a funding gap in the $2 to $20 million enterprise value range. The retirement of baby boomer business owners has been described as triggering one of the biggest transfers of corporate assets on record in Canada. This creates an environment with an abundance of opportunities to acquire SMEs with long-term operating histories, at attractive cash flow multiples. Equicapita provides investors with access to this alternative asset class via an efficient RRSP eligible structure.

DISCLAIMER
The information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein are provided as of the date hereof and are subject to change without notice. Some of the information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein have been obtained from numerous sources and Equicapita and its affiliates make every effort to ensure that the contents hereof have been compiled or derived from sources believed to be reliable and to contain information and opinions which are accurate and complete. However, neither Equicapita nor its affiliates have independently verified or make any representation or warranty, express or implied, in respect thereof, take no responsibility for any errors and omissions which maybe contained herein or accept any liability whatsoever for any loss arising from any use of or reliance on the information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein whether relied upon by the recipient or user or any other third party (including, without limitation, any customer of the recipient or user). Information may be available to Equicapita and/or its affiliates that is not reflected herein. The information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials contained herein are not to be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation for or an offer to buy, any products or services referenced herein (including, without limitation, any commodities, securities or other financial instruments), nor shall such information, opinions, estimates, projections and other materials be considered as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into any transaction. Additional information is available by contacting Equicapita or its relevant affiliate directly.

What is an EBITDA Multiple and What Kind Would My Company Warrant