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The Impact of CAPEX on EBITDA AdjustmentsEarnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) is the measure of a company’s cash flow, calculated as:Position Yourself to Get LuckyThe Benefits of Always Being Sale-Ready in BusinessBenchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Palm Coast Sales, Inc. and Fourshore PartnersBenchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Palm Coast Sales, Inc. and Fourshore PartnersBenchmark International Sponsors Monster Energy Supercross RidersBenchmark International is proud to sponsor the riders Cole Bradford (#427) and Ayden Shive (#137) in the fifth playoff round of the Monster Energy Supercross Championship on February 8, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, at 6:30 p.m.2025 M&A OutlookIntroduction  Benchmark International Remains the #1 Privately-Held M&A Advisor Worldwide, as Ranked in LSEG's Full Year 2024 Global League TablesLSEG, previously known as Refinitiv as well as Thomson Reuters, has released its Global League Tables for the full year of 2024, and Benchmark International was once again recognized with several high rankings across different categories.
An Optimistic Future: Strong Demand for Capital, a Dealmaking Upturn, & a Surge of Private Equity

Wall Street is anticipating a strong level of deal activity in 2025 as Donald Trump returns to the U.S. presidency, based on an optimistic stock market, falling interest rates, and fewer regulatory interventions. A recent surge in demand for capital is expected to continue, as many experts expect dealmaking to rebound, resulting in a flurry of private equity ventures.

Is Programmatic M&A Right for My Business?

Programmatic mergers and acquisitions are a strategic approach to M&A deals that companies use to acquire several smaller companies to achieve specific goals, such as growth and value creation. This strategy differs from traditional M&A transactions, which usually involve singular transactions and higher valuations.

Why You Should Consider Rolling Equity When Selling Your Business

Selling a business often culminates years of hard work, dedication, and strategic planning. It marks a significant financial milestone, but how you structure the sale can have lasting implications on your financial health and future opportunities. One option that business owners frequently contemplate is maintaining a portion of equity in the business as part of the sale. This approach involves taking a portion of the sale proceeds in the form of equity in the acquiring company rather than all cash upfront. While it may not be ideal for every situation or seller, there are many reasons why rolling over equity should be carefully considered:

Why A Bids-Invited Process Helps to Increase Your Business’ Valuation When It Is Time to Exit Your Business

You have decided it is finally time to take the next step in your exit strategy. You are ready to sell your business or seek a growth partner. Whether you are seeking retirement or looking for a strategic partner to assist you with future growth, you will want to get the best offer from a prospective buyer with the best cultural fit. In Benchmark International’s experience,  utilizing a  bids-invited process can help you to achieve these goals.

Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated The Transaction Between Floyd Automatic Tooling and NVM PE.

Benchmark International is pleased to announce the acquisition of Floyd Automatic Tooling by NVM PE.

Benchmark International Wins Big at Dealmakers Magazine Annual Award Gala

Benchmark International would like to congratulate all who attended and won at the DealMakers Magazine annual awards gala held on Tuesday in Sandton, Johannesburg.  

When Is the Right Time to Sell My Business?When it comes to timing the sale of a company, you'll never know if it's too soon, but you'll know for sure when it's too late. Of course, you don’t want to sell too soon and leave money on the table. However, if you wait too long and sell too late, you can lose any advantages you may have with potential buyers. So, what’s the answer? There isn’t one answer. There are multiple factors to consider, and some may be more important than others depending on the business and its circumstances. Every business is different, and every industry brings its own challenges and benefits. But there are some steps you can take to put yourself in the best position to sell.M&A as a Labor Market StrategyOne of the challenges of growing a business is finding the right people and retaining them. Business owners often share that they struggle to fill open roles, whether due to a shortage of applicants or candidates lacking the necessary experience. This issue highlights the complexity of managing growth while building a strong team.Benchmark International Successfully Facilitated the Transaction Between Triton Submarines and the Ray Dalio TrustBenchmark International is pleased to announce the transaction between Triton Submarines and the Ray Dalio Trust.Benchmark International Rolls Out New Interactive Publication of the MarkBenchmark International has released a new publication, The Mark, which is an award-winning publication that offers exclusive insights into the world of mergers and acquisitions and specialized guidance for business owners on a wide range of important topics.Kendall Stafford Recognized as Investment Banker of the Year and Benchmark International Earns Cross Border Deal of the Year at M&A Advisor AwardsAt the 23rd Annual M&A Advisor Awards, Kendall Stafford, Managing Partner at Benchmark International, was named Investment Banker of the Year. Why Negotiating the Tough Stuff Upfront in a Letter of Intent is Crucial in M&A TransactionsWhen you're selling your business, the most challenging negotiations are the ones that often get pushed aside, but they are the ones that should be tackled upfront. 
The ESOP Advantage in M&A: What Buyers and Sellers Need to KnowESOPs have a special place in the business world. There's a bit of mystery around them as they are outside of typical business structures, and many need to understand how they work, much less their role in an M&A transaction. Some ESOPs seeking to sell are curious if they can do so with an ESOP in place. Others looking to buy or be bought out by an ESOP aren't sure of the proceedings. Fortunately, Benchmark has managed both situations and can navigate deals with these added layers of complexity.Adjusted EBITDA ExplainedWhat is EBITDA?Seven Questions You Should Always Ask About a Business Before Buying ItIn the world of mergers and acquisitions, the adage, "knowledge is power," holds particularly true. This essential process involves meticulous investigation, analysis, and assessment of various aspects of the target company. It is critical to conduct thorough due diligence for multiple reasons, as it helps ensure buyers are making an informed decision and mitigating potential risks. Asking the following seven questions will help assess if the business is the right fit and potential synergy:Benchmark International Unveils Its New Flagship Office in AmsterdamBenchmark International is pleased to announce its new flagship office at The Edge, Amsterdam.Benchmark International is again ranked among the top M&A advisors in the world: Mergermarket and FactSetMergermarket has released its 9M 2024 Global & Regional League Tables, and Benchmark International is pleased to announce that it has once more been ranked for the number of deals conducted in Europe and globally. The latest recognition and rankings include:Managing Expectations While On MarketDeciding to sell your business can be a nerve-wracking yet exciting endeavor. It marks the culmination of many years of dedication, hard work, and strategic planning. As you prepare to go to market, engage with buyers through site visits, field and respond through information requests from interested parties, and hopefully navigate potential negotiations with buyers, it is vital not to overlook the significance of the market feedback you may receive while fielding these various levels of interest. The input received throughout the stages of this process is paramount to consider when managing your expectations while you are on the market. Understanding and finding the overall market consensus of feedback can help you determine what may add value to your overall offer or detract from your valuation. An often overlooked aspect is considering the market feedback generated by interest and adjusting your expectations accordingly.
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Webinars, Testimonials and More

Highlighting top-notch M&A analysis, expert interviews, and industry trends to keep you informed and inspired. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the world of M&A, our featured content offers valuable perspectives and actionable strategies to navigate the complex landscape of mergers and acquisitions. Join us as we showcase the best of M&A expertise and innovation, empowering you to make informed decisions and drive success in your endeavors.

Seller Motivation - What Goes Into The Decision To Sell Webinar

Deciding to sell your business is one of the most significant decisions you'll ever make. While maximizing proceeds is crucial, it's not the only factor that should influence your decision. Life circumstances, time with family, and other qualitative aspects can often outweigh pure financial gain. Join us for an insightful webinar as we explore the many motivations behind the decision to sell a business and why it's essential to consider both qualitative and quantitative factors in your decision-making process.

This webinar is a must-attend for business owners, particularly those who are contemplating the sale of their business. As the market remains strong but more disciplined, understanding your true motivations for selling can help you make the best decision for your future. Whether you’re aiming to maximize your financial returns or prioritize time with loved ones, this session will provide valuable insights to help you navigate the complex decision of when and why to sell

Dara Shareef serves as Managing Partner at Benchmark International and is charged with running the Tampa Transaction office. He also holds the rare distinction of having served in every role over the course of his career. His diverse background as both an operator of business and an investor into businesses allows him to anticipate issues in deals before they happen. Having been in each of their shoes, this allows him to think like both a seller and a buyer. Before arriving at Benchmark International, Dara served as COO of GSL Solutions. GSL provides web design and content management for roughly half of the US Senate and many school districts. Before GSL, he was a VC working for three different funds and held C-Suite operational roles in several businesses. Dara was formerly Vice Chairman of Sunmark Federal Credit Union in NY. One of the most exciting aspects of Dara's job is the opportunity it affords him to play with dozens of industries and business models. He has successfully facilitated transactions in sectors as diverse as SaaS, Commercial Landscaping, Vertical Market Software, Healthcare, Retail, Commercial Printing, Business Services, Marketing, IT Services, Niche Manufacturing, and Engineering.