In merger and acquisition seller and a buyer often state that the target company or business is to be acquired on a "debt free/cash free" basis. Similarly, if there are multiple potential buyers of a target business, the seller may insist that each bidder makes an offer on a "debt free/cash free" basis. It is therefore important to understand and agree upon the meaning of "debt free/cash free".
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Typically, if a business is to be acquired "debt free", most parties will intend that all external debts (i.e. bank debts) be repaid upon completion. However, what about trading debts arising in the ordinary course of business? What about hire purchase and finance leasing agreements or intra company debts? Do these also constitute "debts" which should be discharged upon completion in order to achieve a "debt free/cash free" position?
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A sensible starting point for the debate is to identify exactly what debt the target currently has, and more specifically the likely level of that debt at the point of proposed completion. "Debt free" can be achieved in a number of ways:
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1) The target repays the debt prior to completion (beware of financial assistance issues);
2) The seller repays the debt prior to completion;
3) The debt remains in the target company, with arrangements put in place to discharge the debt immediately following completion (beware of financial assistance issues); or
4) The buyer assumes the debts but reduces the purchase price by an amount equal to the debt.
1) The target repays the debt prior to completion (beware of financial assistance issues);
2) The seller repays the debt prior to completion;
3) The debt remains in the target company, with arrangements put in place to discharge the debt immediately following completion (beware of financial assistance issues); or
4) The buyer assumes the debts but reduces the purchase price by an amount equal to the debt.
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As regards the concept of a target being acquired "cash free", again a sensible starting point is to agree what is meant by "cash". Usually, the term cash free does not mean that the seller will be entitled to empty the target bank accounts immediately prior to completion. A more likely intention is that the seller will be permitted to remove any "spare" cash before the target is sold. "Cash free" can be achieved by using the "spare" cash in a number of ways including:
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1) Repayments of indebtedness (which goes towards achieving "debt free");
2) Pre-completion dividend (subject to the target having sufficient distributable reserves);
3) Purchase of own shares (subject to the target having sufficient distributable reserves); and
4) PENSION payments to individual sellers. or
5) To repay any other liability
1) Repayments of indebtedness (which goes towards achieving "debt free");
2) Pre-completion dividend (subject to the target having sufficient distributable reserves);
3) Purchase of own shares (subject to the target having sufficient distributable reserves); and
4) PENSION payments to individual sellers. or
5) To repay any other liability
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It is important to remember that the buyer's interpretation of "debt free/cash free" will almost certainly be made on the assumption that the target company will be left with adequate working capital. The buyer will normally expect that the target will be able to continue to trade for the foreseeable future immediately following completion. Again, it is vital that the parties discuss and agree what constitutes adequate working capital from the outset.
