Throughout recent years, merger and acquisition activity within the financial-advisor industry remained strong, with valuations for registered investment advisory firms in 2021 up 15-25% from a few years ago and hitting an all-time high. 

However, to pack down expansion, the U.S. Federal Reserve is on track to hike interest rates at various points in 2022. These increases could signal the end of the era of ultra-cheap money that helped fuel the period of M&A activity. Especially for younger advisors seeking to buy businesses. 

This white paper examines how acquisitions may evolve in the short and intermediate term and the steps buyers and sellers must take to ensure deals go through. 

How rising interest rates could impact merger and acquisition deals? 

Central Banks, Interest Rates & Acquisitions 

When it comes to interest rates, central banks are among the main players. Central banks set benchmark interest rates for their respective countries. Which thusly influences a large group of other monetary variables. The Fed has made it as clear that they intend to fight inflation heavily by increasing the federal funds rate by selling bonds. 

For businesses looking to perform M&A deals, central bank policies for rising interest rates are critical to watch. If interest rates are on the rise, it could and will make borrowing money more expensive – and thus could impact the feasibility of a potential deal. 

More Cash, Equity & Earnouts 

When interest rates are low, businesses can borrow money inexpensively. This can be a major advantage in M&A deals, as it can help companies and private equity investors finance larger acquisitions using leverage than they would under high-interest rate scenarios. 

However, with interest rates on the rise, borrowing money is becoming increasingly expensive. This is causing businesses to be more cautious about taking on too much debt in M&A deals. Instead, they are opting for more cash and equity transactions – and less debt. 

This shift towards more cash and equity deals is likely to continue in the coming months, as businesses brace themselves for even higher interest rates and likely a more difficult M&A process. 

More Paused & Cancelled merger and acquisition Deals 

While the impact of rising interest rates on M&A deals has been largely positive so far, there have been a few negative consequences as well. 

For one, rising interest rates are causing skittishness among businesses. This is leading to more paused transactions and even canceled deals. 

In addition, businesses are becoming increasingly cautious about taking on too much debt in mergers and acquisitions deals, partly because banks are tightening the lending requirements on the M&A deals, they underwrite. 

This is causing many investors to either walk away from deals altogether or opt for adjustments to deal structure by paying for cash, or–and in most cases–opting for larger earnouts from company sellers. 

But most buyers don’t want to have to put down more equity than is necessary as doing so tends to tamper cash-on-cash returns. Furthermore, sellers warry of future performance have been less inclined to accept hefty earnouts with little promise of upside. 

All of this is happening as businesses brace themselves for even higher interest rates in the months ahead. 

More importantly, higher rates tend to have a direct and negative palpable impact on business valuations, which in turn makes more sellers reticent to sell. 

Opportunities and Benefits of Rising Interest Rates on merger and acquisition 

While there are some negative consequences of rising interest rates on M&A deals, there are also several positives. 

For one, businesses are becoming more cautious about taking on too much debt in M&A deals. This is causing them to opt for more cash and equity transactions – and less debt. 

This shift towards more cash and equity deals is likely to continue in the coming months, as businesses brace themselves for even higher interest rates. 

This increased caution could be a good thing, as it could lead to more sustainable M&A deals. In addition, it could lead to more rational decision-making among businesses. As they weigh the costs and benefits of any potential deal more carefully and adjust what once were frothy business valuations. 

Another benefit of rising interest rates is that it is making borrowing money more expensive. This could lead to businesses being more disciplined about their spending and could help to reign in excesses in the economy. 

Finally, rising interest rates could lead to a stronger economy in the long run. This is because they can help to curb inflation, which can have a negative impact on economic growth. 

Changing Timing for Consummating Deals 

When interest rates are on the rise, some sellers may be tempted to shy away from executing deals. This could be since borrowing money is becoming increasingly expensive. 

However, it’s important to remember that rising interest rates should not cause sellers to shy away from executing deals. There are several positives to consider, including more cash and equity deals and a stronger economy in the long run. 

So, while there may be some negative consequences of rising interest rates on M&A deals, there are also several positives. Sellers should not be discouraged from executing deals – but rather should weigh all the pros and cons before deciding. 

Considerations for Buyers 

Business buyers and private equity investors should continue to be opportunistic in the current market, despite the rise in interest rates. The potential benefits of rising interest rates – such as more cash and equity deals – should not be overlooked. 

In addition, businesses should be cautious about taking on too much debt in M&A deals. This is because banks are tightening the lending requirements on the M&A deals, they underwrite. 

Finally, buyers should be prepared for even higher interest rates in the months ahead. This could lead to a slowdown in deal flow, so buyers should act quickly when a good opportunity arises. 

Consideration for Sellers merger and acquisition

When considering mergers and acquisitions in rising interest rate environments, business sellers should keep the following in mind: 

Sellers should weigh all the pros and cons of any potential deal carefully before deciding. 

Sellers should be cautious about how deals are structured. Including debt-service-coverage ratios on current cash flows, particularly if their transaction has too much debt in M&A deals. 

Sellers should be prepared for even higher interest rates in the months ahead. 

Sellers should consider opting for more cash and equity transaction and less in the form of earnouts and debt. 

Sellers should be opportunistic in the current market, despite the rise in interest rates. 

While sellers don’t want to sell themselves short. Rising rates can present their own opportunities and challenges that should be considered before consummating a transaction with any buyer. 

Conclusion 

This is because the higher borrowing costs could make the deal too expensive for the acquiring company. 

So far, we’ve seen that rising interest rates can have mixed effects on M&A deals. On one hand, higher borrowing costs can make deals more difficult to execute. On the other hand, a strong economy (which is often associated with rising interest rates) can lead to more favorable terms for buyers in M&A transactions.