Wouter De Maeseneire

How Do Investment Banks Value Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

We investigate the valuation and the pricing of initial public offerings (IPOs) by investment banks for a unique dataset of 49 IPOs on Euronext Brussels in the 1993-2001 period. We find that for each IPO several valuation methods are used, of which Discounted Free Cash Flow (DFCF) is the most popular. The offer price is mainly based on DFCF valuation, to which a discount is applied. Our results suggest that DDM tends to underestimate value, while DFCF produces unbiased value estimates. When using multiples, investment banks rely mostly on future earnings and cash flows. Multiples based on post-IPO forecasted earnings and cash flows result in more accurate valuations.

What Drives Leverage in Leveraged Buyouts? An Analysis of European Leveraged Buyouts’ Capital Structure

This paper examines leverage in European private equity‐led leveraged buyouts (LBOs). We use a unique, self‐constructed sample of 126 European private equity (PE)‐sponsored buyouts completed between June 2000 and June 2007. We find that determinants derived from classical capital structure theories do not explain leverage in LBOs, while they do drive leverage in a control group of comparable public firms. Rather, we document that leverage levels in LBOs are related to the prevailing conditions in the debt market. In addition, our results indicate that reputed private equity sponsors use more debt and that secondary buyouts have higher leverage levels.

What Drives Leverage in Leveraged Buyouts? An Analysis of European LBOs' Capital Structure

This paper examines leverage in European private equity led LBOs. We use a unique, self-constructed sample of 126 European private equity (PE) sponsored buyouts completed between June 2000 and June 2007. We find that determinants derived from classical capital structure theories do not explain leverage in LBOs, while they do drive leverage in a control group of comparable public firms. Rather, we document that leverage levels in LBOs are related to the prevailing conditions in the debt market. In addition, our results indicate that reputed private equity sponsors use more debt and that secondary buyouts have higher leverage levels.

Similar bidders in takeover contests

When bidders in a corporate takeover have related resources and post-acquisition strategies, their valuations of a target are likely to be interdependent. This paper analyzes sequential-entry takeover contests in which similar bidders have correlated private valuations. The level of similarity affects information content of bids and bidding competition. Our model predicts that expected acquisition prices and the probability of multiple-bidder contests are the highest for intermediately similar bidders. We test these predictions in laboratory experiments in which we control the similarity between bidders. The experimental data confirm the non-monotonic effects of similarity on prices and on the frequency of multiple-bidder contents

Antecedents of time to completion in mergers and acquisitions

Literature on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) performance and wealth effects is abundant. Yet, we know very little about the pre-completion stage, in particular about aspects such as the likelihood of deal closing and time to completion. Understanding the drivers of completion time is however important as prolonged deal duration is costly and postpones realizing synergy gains. In this article, we study the antecedents of deal duration for a sample of 1150 M&As between listed US companies during 1994–2011. Not surprisingly, deal complexity critically affects time to completion. Stock offers, deal hostility, mergers and larger deals are characterized by a lengthier acquisition duration. Strong and clear shareholder support accelerates deal completion, as does the likelihood of overpayment. Finally, experienced bidders succeed in more rapidly completing transactions, implying learning effects.

The interplay between target firm R&D, acquirer debt financing and takeover premia

ABSTRACT The level of acquisition premia is of paramount importance in light of the vast sums paid to target shareholders and the often disappointing returns realized by corporate buyers. In this letter, we focus on the impact of R&D investments by targets on the acquisition premium contingent upon the acquirer’s financing choices. Based on a unique hand-collected sample of 407 listed European transactions, we find a positive effect of target R&D on premia paid. Yet, when acquirers finance the acquisition of an R&D intensive target with debt, the positive relation disappears. Consequently, we establish that financing sources affect bidding strategies of acquiring companies in case of difficult-to-value targets.

The Risk Effects of Acquiring Distressed Firms

We examine the impact of distressed acquisitions on acquirer volatility and default risk for a worldwide sample of distressed firms using several risk measures. We find that, on average, absolute levels of historical and implied volatility do not change following a distressed acquisition. However, distressed acquisitions generate a significant increase in relative total, systematic and idiosyncratic volatility and default risk, hence risk rises for both shareholders and bondholders. In particular, we show that high market-to-book acquirers, frequent acquirers, low-risk acquirers, higher acquisition premia and deals closed during bull markets are associated with higher levels of post-acquisition risk. Interestingly, high-risk acquirers experience a significant reduction in volatility and default risk. Consequently, risk changes cannot exclusively be explained by transferring risk from distressed target to acquirer. Our results suggest that bidder pre-acquisition levels of performance and risk and market conditions affect the type of distressed acquisitions and consequently the risk effects in such transactions.

The Influence of International Human Capital and International Network Relationships on Private Equity Firms’ Cross-Border Investment Behaviour

This paper studies the international investment behavior of private equity (PE) firms. Perspectives from international service management are integrated with human capital and network theory to test the value of international human capital and international network relationships. Using a sample of 110 private equity firms from five European countries, we demonstrate the positive influence of international human capital and show that the intensity of the foreign network decreases the likelihood to be international. Our results also stress the larger influence of international human capital and network relationships on the likelihood of cross-border investing than on the number of international investments.

The Risk Effects of Acquiring Distressed Firms: RISK EFFECTS OF ACQUIRING DISTRESSED FIRMS

Existing research shows that bidder default risk increases following acquisitions due to a rise in post‐acquisition leverage and managerial risk‐taking actions offsetting the potential for asset diversification. This study examines whether the risk effects of acquiring distressed targets are fundamentally different and investigates possible explanations for any dissimilarities. Bidders often acquire relatively smaller distressed targets in domestic and related industries and have a higher initial target stake and more financial flexibility, thereby minimizing risk exposure. Controlling for several characteristics of bidder investment behaviour in both types of deals, however, we find that the increase in bidder default risk is substantially larger when acquiring distressed firms.

Syndicating Venture Capital Investments: An Integrated Benefit/Cost Framework and Analysis

This paper focuses on the syndication of venture capital investments. We present a comprehensive framework that simultaneously integrates the benefits and drawbacks of syndication. Our empirical analysis uses a sample of UK venture capitalists’ investments made between 1964 and 2006. We collected data about three different units of analysis: venture capital firm level, portfolio company level and investment round level. Overall, we find evidence for the main motivations to syndicate, namely the finance, resource based and deal flow rationales. Furthermore, indirect support for the window dressing and agency problem motives is established. We also confirm the importance of transaction costs. Hence, VCs’ syndication decisions are driven by the benefits and costs of syndication.